Banditry Wahala: 16 Vigilantes Killed, 42 Residents Kidnapped for Niger

Mashegu, Niger State – Na wa o, pepper dem! As bandits don carry their wahala enter Mashegu Local Government Area, no fewer than 16 vigilantes don bite the dust. And no make mistake, 42 residents don join dem for abduction party wey no be fun at all. Dis gbege happen between Sunday, November 9 and Thursday, November 13, 2025, and dem don leave community wey suppose dey busy, deserted like Sahara Desert.

One resident wey no wan show face talk say dem first invade Dutsen Magaji village on Sunday, carry 22 people waka. ‘As dem show up na, the vigilantes no gree, dem pursue dem enter gun battle. E be like say na small wahala because dem manage kill three vigilantes and five people still dey hospital dey recover from the show,’ e tok.

But wait, the bandits nor finish there o! Dem come back on Thursday morning, while people dey pray for mosque for Magama, dem surround the house of God like say na dem own. Some vigilantes follow dem enter blind alley; the next thing, gun dey go off, 13 vigilantes don land for ground as dem come out for the show. Plenty others sef don injure, just like say dem dey act movie for farm.

Even Isah Ibrahim Bokuta, the Press Secretary to Mashegu LGA chairman, don confirm say the dead vigilantes na heroes. He phone say dem sacrifice their lives to protect their community. E no easy, how many people go fit do what dem do?

As for the Police? SP Wasiu Abiodun just dey look from afar, say him go verify the matter, but the community no dey sleep since Monday when dem start this mass movement. People don dey hurrying run go Mashegu, Kawo-Mashegu, and Manigi, leaving behind Dutsen Magaji, Borin-Aiki, Gidan Ruwa and Magama. E be like say wahala don be small matter for Niger State.

And as if that one no plenty, Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, the former Chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), still dey inside kabukabu with his kidnappers. Dem say him family don drop N70 million for ransom, but he no show face since September 29, when dem grab am along Mokwa–New Bussa road.

Na wah! And to think say Niger don dey face plenty bandit wahala since past five years. Communities dey run from their own land as bandits dey turn this place to battleground. The Government dey try shine eye—military operations, vigilante things—everywhere dey scatter, but the question be, when e go end? Make we just dey hope we fit see peace once again for Niger State.