Seven  vigilantes killed, eight  injured by suspected military bomb

By Philippine Duru

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Seven members of a local vigilante group have been killed. In contrast, eight others sustained injuries after a suspected military bomb struck their camp in Kukoki-Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred on Thursday when a Nigerian Air Force jet allegedly dropped the explosive on the camp occupied by the vigilantes, popularly known as DSS Hunters.

The victims were reportedly gathered at the time to plan a response to reported movements of bandits around the community.

Sources said the injured vigilantes were rushed to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for treatment, with some said to have sustained severe injuries, including the complete loss of both legs.

Commander of the vigilante group in Kukoki, Ayuba Umar Kamas, said three aircraft were sighted in the area shortly before the incident.

According to him, one of the aircraft flew over their position before releasing the bomb that struck the camp.

Kamas said the seven persons killed comprised four members from Kukoki, one from Bassa and three from Matuku.

He expressed concern that the vigilantes were attacked while suspected bandits were allegedly moving freely through the area.

Kamas claimed that the bandits, numbering about 250 motorcycles and reportedly transporting rustled cattle, passed through the area around the time of the airstrike.

Community sources, however, suggested that the Air Force operation may have been based on intelligence concerning terrorist or bandit movements in the area, but that the intended target might have been missed.

The circumstances surrounding the airstrike and the identity of the intended target were not immediately clear.