Two vigilantes were killed and another injured during a gun battle with bandits in Wamba, Mariga LGA of Niger State.

According to local sources, the heavily armed bandits, in their hundreds and riding motorcycles, were intercepted by vigilantes, resulting in the casualties.

The Mariga LGA chairman, Abbas Kasuwan Garba, said the injured vigilante is receiving treatment, and joint security forces have been deployed.

The state Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brig. Gen. Bello Abdullahi (rtd), confirmed the bandits’ movement and said security forces are pursuing them, though full details of the confrontation are still pending.

In a related incident, bandits have killed a woman named Lami, who was abducted along with her husband, Yakubu Dada, in October 2024 on Kontagora Road.

It was learned that despite collecting a N10 million ransom in November, the captors are now demanding an additional N20 million and four Bajaj motorcycles.

Lami was reportedly shot dead on Sunday after the family failed to meet the new demands. Dada, a retired civil servant and WHO ad hoc staff remains in captivity.

His eldest wife, Maimuna, said the family had sold nearly all their possessions to raise the initial ransom. She appealed to the Niger State Government and security agencies to rescue Dada before he suffers the same fate as his wife.

Police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun said an official response would be provided.