Gunmen kill three soldiers, vigilante in Niger

Three soldiers and a vigilante have been killed by gunmen in an attempt to rescue two kidnapped foreign nationals.

The foreign nationals were kidnapped in Yakila village in Rafi local government area of Niger state.

It was learnt that the gunmen had kidnapped the foreigners who are road contractors working on the reconstruction of the road from Yakila to Tegina when they attacked the construction site in their numbers on motorcycles.

The Nation learnt that both the soldiers and vigilante member were at Yakila to rescue the kidnapped victims but were killed in an exchange of gunfire with the bandits.

Attempts to reach the Niger state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun failed as he didn’t respond to his call nor respond to messages sent to him.

However, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Security matters, Rt. Colonel Mohammed Maikundi confirmed the incident.

He said security agencies mobilised and restrategized thereafter moved to the area where they also killed some bandits.