At least seven members of a local vigilante group have reportedly been killed and eight others injured following a suspected bomb strike at Kukoki-Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday when members of the vigilante group gathered to strategise against the movement of suspected bandits in the area.
Community sources alleged that the bomb was dropped by a Nigerian Air Force aircraft which was conducting a counter-terrorism operation in the area but reportedly missed its intended target.
The injured victims were said to have been evacuated from the community on motorcycles before being taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where they are receiving medical attention.
The Commander of the Kukoki Vigilante Group, Ayuba Umar Kamas, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, described the development as unfortunate and painful.
Kamas said seven members of the group were killed, comprising four from Kukoki, one from Bassa and three from Matuku, while eight others sustained injuries.
He said some of the injured victims reportedly suffered severe injuries, including the loss of both legs.
According to him, three aircraft were sighted in the area, but one flew towards the direction where the vigilantes were gathered and dropped a bomb, resulting in the casualties.
Kamas said the vigilantes had gathered after receiving information about the movement of suspected bandits, who he alleged were travelling in large numbers on about 250 motorcycles, with some transporting rustled cattle.
He questioned why the vigilantes, who were preparing to respond to the suspected bandit movement, were allegedly hit during the operation.
The vigilante commander said the Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, who hails from Shiroro Local Government Area, was contacted following the incident, after which arrangements were made to evacuate the injured.
He added that members of the Rafi vigilante group assisted in burying the deceased, but said the affected community was yet to receive support from the state or local governments.
Kamas further disclosed that the community had been largely deserted following the incident and renewed concerns over possible attacks by bandits.
There was no official statement from the Niger State Government, the Nigerian Air Force or other security agencies on the alleged airstrike and casualties as of the time of filing this report.
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