3 soldiers, 1 vigilante killed in Niger

Three soldiers and one vigilante have been killed by gunmen in Yakila, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. 

It was gathered that before the incident, the gunmen had abducted one Chinese expatriate along with his driver on a construction site in the village and fled to an unknown destination.

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A witness who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the soldiers and the vigilante member were at Yakila to rescue the Chinese expatriate and his driver who were abducted, but lost their lives in an exchange of gunfire with the bandits numbering about 30.

The bandits who were heavily armed were said to have carried out the operation riding on 15 motorcycles.

Efforts to confirm the incident from Niger State Police Command was unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, was not available.

But Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Security Matters, Colonel MK Maikundi (rtd) confirmed the incident, saying security agencies have mobilised to tackle the situation.