Thirteen local vigilantes lost their lives in a deadly encounter with armed men during a cattle rustling operation in Morai village, Augie LGA of Kebbi State, on Sunday.
Sources within the village reported that the vigilantes, acting on prior intelligence, set up an ambush to intercept the attackers. They were hiding in a shaded area near the village when the rustlers arrived.
Alhaji Augie, a respected elder, explained that the vigilantes sprang into action when the cattle theft began, but the attackers had anticipated the move and struck first.
“They were ambushed themselves,” he recounted. “As they moved, the gunmen opened fire and killed 13 of them.”
Only six of the bodies had been recovered and buried as of Monday morning. Meanwhile, the state government has responded with a security visit led by Governor Nasir Idris to offer support to the grieving community.