Vigilantes Ambush Bandits in Nigeria's Zamfara State, 53 Killed Including Notorious Commander

At least 53 people were killed when vigilantes ambushed bandits in northwestern Nigeria's Zamfara state on Thursday (November 12), residents told Agence France-Presse on Saturday (November 14): 44 bandits and nine vigilantes died, and a notorious bandit commander was also killed in the fighting. News from the remote area only emerged on Saturday because of poor telecommunications. (File photo: Zamfara vigilantes on patrol. Image: Arbiterz.)

Vigilantes ambush kidnappers; commander Jijji killed

According to AFP, vigilantes from Zoma village in Bukkuyum district ambushed the bandits as they passed through the village on Thursday, after the gang had kidnapped several people from the nearby Gummi district. "Our vigilantes killed 44 of the bandits ... we also lost nine vigilantes in the fight," a vigilante chief told AFP. The notorious bandit commander Jijji, who had led the kidnapping, was also killed. Two other Zoma residents, Kabiru Tafida and Basiru Buhari, gave AFP the same account and death toll.

Police say they have no details yet

A Zamfara state police spokesman contacted by AFP said the force had yet to receive details about the clashes. News of attacks in remote areas is usually slow to emerge because of poor telecommunications and distance. The death toll is based on residents' accounts and has not been officially confirmed.

Kidnap gangs terrorise the northwest

Zamfara is one of several states in northwest and central Nigeria terrorised by kidnapping-for-ransom and cattle-rustling gangs, who raid villages, kill and abduct residents, and loot homes before burning them. Local vigilante groups have sprung up in recent years, arming themselves to defend their villages, and regularly clash with the gangs.