Two hunters have gone missing and several bandits killed in Farin Doki community, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, after a clash involving a team of vigilantes and hunters and the bandits.

UGAMATV  gathered that the incident happened on Tuesday when the bandits invaded the community.

A source said, “The bandits, in large numbers, while riding on motorcycles, invaded some villages around Farin Doki community. Unknown to them that the vigilantes and hunters had laid an ambush after receiving information about their invasion.

“The bandits were cut off from communicating with their informants after service providers seized network in the area due to the ongoing security operation; so, the bandits ran into the ambush.”

Our correspondent gathered that after two hours of a fierce gun battle with the ill-equipped vigilantes and hunters, an unspecified number of bandits were neutralised, while two vigilantes were stabbed to death when their ammunition got exhausted.

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“A number of motorcycles, AK-47 rifles and machine guns were recovered from the bandits. Bandits are now working closely with Boko Haram elements who are currently recruiting youths in the area,” the source said.

In another development, no fewer than 22 people suspected to have links with bandits have been arrested across four communities in the area after a joint Security task force raided their hideout.

Some of the suspects were reportedly arrested with rifles and taken to security facilities in Zumba for onward movement to the police command headquarters in Minna, the state capital.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Biodun, promised to find out about the clash between the bandits and the residents and call back our correspondent.

He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.