Youth vigilante group popularly known as Yan-sa-kai said it attacked a kidnappers’ den at Doguwar Guna forest near Pandogari in Rafi, Niger Stateon Saturdaykilling 10, while recovering 17 motorcycles and 70 rustled cows.

The head of the group, Malam Sani Abdullahi Banmi told Daily Trust on phone on Tuesday that they decided to moblise and attack the kidnappers and bandits inhabiting the vast forest reserves stretching from Alawa through Kongoma and Pandagori following series of attacks on communities in the areas.

Banmi, who had been assisting the military and the Police in several operations including espionage, intelligence gathering, arrest, location identification, said he mobilised about 500 vigilantes from Birinin Gwari, Udawa and Madawaki to carry out the operations.

He said his members spent three days in the forest during the operation, adding that they also recovered a electric generator, stabiliser and other items from the bandits.

He noted that his group could flush out kidnappers and other bandits terrorising villagers in parts of Shiroror, Sarkin Pawa and Rafi Local Government Areas if the state government would empower them.

When asked whether security operatives were part of the operation, Banmi said the vigilantes went in with the support of the traditional council and the Rafi local government leadership.

The District Head of Kongoma, Alhaji Idris Aliyu confirmed the operation, saying the government and traditional authorities area supported it after series of attacks on communities and kidnap of many residents.

He acknowledged that the state government had been doing its best to rid the area of bandits, but said it was obvious that government could not do it alone.

“The operation was the outcome of meeting involving the traditional council and leadership of Rafi LGA, as well as other stakeholders based on public outcry over series of attacks and kidnapping of residents,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Abubakar Dan-Inna also confirmed the incident and explained that it was a joint operation between the military, the Police and vigilantes.

Last Thursday, gunmen had kidnapped a Sharia Judge in the area barely three days after seven people were kidnapped and three others killed. (Daily Trust)