No fewer than eight vigilante members and two other persons have been killed by bandits in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The armed men also abducted the village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages under Kakangi Ward.
Idris Khalid, a resident of the area, who confirmed the incident to journalists on Friday said heavily armed men invaded the villages at about Thursday shooting into the air.
The eight vigilante members who were killed in Kakangi were Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.
Khalid noted that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja community under Gayam Ward were identified as Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.
He said the vigilantes were attacked while trailing the kidnapped victims who were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.
“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others,” Khalid said.
“Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.
“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were lost,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said the matter is currently being investigated.