A deadly confrontation between local vigilantes and suspected Lakurawa bandits in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State has reportedly claimed the lives of 11 vigilantes.
Several others are still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the bloody clash.
The clash, which erupted on Friday, initially left two people dead, but the death toll later climbed to 11 after nine additional bodies were recovered.
Search efforts are ongoing amid fears that more victims remain in the dense Lakurawa forest, where the bandits are believed to be hiding.
Soldiers and security personnel from Binji and Racca have joined the operation.
Witnesses said the shootout began when local vigilantes repelled an attack on Magonho community, triggering a fierce gun battle.
The attackers—about 40 in number—stormed the area on 20 motorcycles, rustled livestock, and retreated into the forest.
Troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Masallaci responded swiftly, managing to recover some of the stolen animals.
However, the bandits later returned to Magonho, firing sporadically and setting fire to an MTN communication tower before fleeing again.
Security agencies are continuing search-and-rescue operations to locate missing vigilantes and retrieve more bodies.
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