Many people have been killed in an ambush attack by bandits on a combined team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana District in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The hunters were on a routine patrol along Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest bordering Bauchi and Plateau States when the armed bandits attacked them.

The bandits also killed many residents who fled from their villages following the attack. The bandits also suffered some casualties as some of their men were killed.

Details on the exact number of the hunters and residents killed are still sketchy but there are reports from residents around the area that about nine people were killed, while some say that the number could be as high as 15.

The Bauchi State Police Command in a statement made available to journalists on Monday did not give the exact number of casualties but said that many people were killed.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, in his statement said those killed also included civilian residents from Sabuwar Sara village, who were mercilessly shot by the bandits while attempting to flee from the attack.

His statement was entitled: “CP Bauchi visit the scene of crime, deploys tactical teams, Conducts an On-the-Spot Assessment in Alkaleri, Engages Stakeholders, urges everybody to be calm and vigilant and support the police, Orders Full-Scale Investigation.”

Wakil, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Police Command, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has deployed tactical teams to Mansur village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi following a visit to relevant stakeholders.

He said the Commissioner of Police strongly condemned the recent killings, expressing deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and

“On 4th May 2025, at about 09:40 hours, the Command received a report from Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters regarding an incident that occurred earlier that same day at about 05:40 hours (5.40am).

“A combined team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana District, while on a routine patrol along Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest bordering Bauchi and Plateau State, encountered an ambush by armed bandits.

“This confrontation resulted in numerous casualties on both sides, including members of the vigilante group and the bandits themselves.

“Upon receiving the report, a team of operational tactical teams was dispatched to the scene, where they recovered bodies of casualties.”

He added that: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased included both quasi-security operatives and civilians from Sabuwar Sara village, who were mercilessly shot by the bandits while attempting to flee from the attack.

“The Command has mandated a specialised team to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act and individuals found to be connected.”

Wakil said that the Commissioner of Police extends his sincere condolences to the families affected by the tragic event and assures the public that the investigation will be conducted diligently to bring the perpetrators to justice. (AriseNews TV, excluding headline)