The Bauchi State Police Command has reported that several members of a local vigilante group were killed in an ambush by gunmen suspected to be bandits near the Bauchi-Plateau border.
The attack occurred on Saturday, and the details were shared in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, on Monday.
According to Wakil, the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters received the report of the incident on Sunday at approximately 9:40 am.
He explained, “On 4th May 2025, at about 09:40 hours, the Command received a report from Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters regarding an incident that occurred earlier that same day at about 05:40 hours.”
Wakil went on to describe the incident, stating that a joint team of professional hunters from Duguri and Gwana Districts was on a routine patrol near Duguri, Mansur, and the Dajin Madam forest, which borders Bauchi and Plateau States.
The team was ambushed by armed bandits, leading to casualties on both sides, including members of the vigilante group and the bandits.
Following the attack, a tactical police team was dispatched to the scene to recover the bodies of the deceased.
Preliminary reports indicated that the fatalities included local vigilantes and several civilians from Sabuwar Sara village, who were shot while attempting to flee.
Wakil also mentioned that a special police team has been assigned to track down the attackers and anyone associated with the crime.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, visited the community leaders in the affected area to express his condolences to the families of the victims.
Aliyu condemned the killings in the strongest terms, calling them “utterly reprehensible” and a grave threat to the state’s peace and security.
He assured the community that every effort would be made to bring those responsible to justice.
While the police have not disclosed the exact number of victims, various figures have circulated on social media following the attack.
