Scores of vigilantes, bandits and locals have been killed in a gun battle in Mansur village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Sunday.
The incident reportedly happened around 9:40 pm on Sunday as details were still sketchy especially on the casualty figures on the sides of the vigilantes, bandits and the locals
The state police spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Wakil on Monday confirmed the incident, saying there were e multiple fatalities among the bandits and the vigilante operatives.
“The report indicated that a joint patrol team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana Districts encountered an ambush by armed bandits while patrolling the Duguri-Mansur-Dajin Madam forest corridor bordering Bauchi and Plateau States around 05:40 hours the same day.
Wakil said following a report received on Sunday at about 09:40 hours from the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Bauchi Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, deployed tactical teams to the affected area and conducted an on-the-spot assessment.
“Preliminary investigations confirmed that several quasi-security personnel and fleeing civilians from Sabuwar Sara village were also gunned down in the ambush,” he said.
He said CP has visited the area and engaged local stakeholders and urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, and to cooperate with the police by providing credible information.
While condemning the deadly attack, the CP has ordered investigation into the incident, Wakil said., adding that a full-scale investigation was already underway and vowed that every individual involved in the heinous attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.
“The killings are utterly reprehensible. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and assure the public that we are resolute in our mission to restore peace and security,” he quoted the CP as saying.
