A rescue attempt by vigilante operatives in the early hours of Thursday ended in tragedy in Sandi Village, Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State, with one person dead and another injured.
Local sources told security expert, Zagazola Makama, that the vigilante team, reportedly led by two operatives identified as Danshuwa and Umar Birnigadam from Damaturu, stormed the village around 4:30 a.m. in a bid to rescue alleged kidnap victims.
Rather than coordinating with local law enforcement, the vigilantes allegedly went straight to the scene of the suspected abduction without notifying the police in Bara Division.
During the operation, the operatives reportedly shot two residents, Ahmed Shuwa, 37, and Muhammad Bello, 27, before arresting one Alhaji Lawan and confiscating a motorcycle and a bicycle.
The victims were rushed to Bara Hospital for treatment, but Shuwa later died from his injuries.
Reacting to the incident, the Yobe State Police Command confirmed that the vigilantes acted without informing officers at the Bara Division.
“A group of vigilantes went to the scene without notifying the Police Division in Bara. During the course of their independent operation, two persons, Ahmed Shuwa and Muhammad Bello, were shot,” the Police said in a statement.
A police team later visited the scene and evacuated the victims to the hospital.
The Police Command confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
