Fourteen people have been reported killed in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State as members of vigilante group and armed bandits clashed. The incident leading to the death of 14 persons was said to have occurred in Tsamiyar Jino village in Kankara local government area.

The Spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident. SP Isah said the incident started when members of the vigilante group decided to launch an attack on the bandits in their hideout (forest) killing seven of them and resultant of a fierce battle where the bandits also killed seven of the vigilante members. According to him, “The vigilante members launched an attack on the bandits in the forest. They had a fierce battle and as a result of this about seven bandits were killed by the vigilante group and also about seven vigilantes also killed by the bandits. Bandits have taken away their corpses.

“The Divisional Police Officer, DPO is already there and normalcy has returned. The vigilante group are advised to always collaborate and synergise with security agencies whenever they have relevant information about movement of the bandits.”

“The Commissioner of Police has directed that henceforth all the vigilante group with any credible information should work closely with the police and military,” SP Isah said. Meanwhile, information gathered by our correspondent revealed that there is palpable fear and tension in the area over fear of reprisal attacks. A source in the area said that the bandits killed several persons from the vigilante group with seven bodies so far recovered while others were yet to be recovered as the bandits prevented the people from carrying the corpse. (Vanguard)