Kebbi State deputy governor, narrowly escaped death as 19 security agents in his entourage were killed in Dangu Wasagu Local Government Area of the state barely 2 days after suspected bandits killed 63 vigilantes.
The development came during a visit by the deputy governor to areas in the state affected by banditry.
TOS NEWS on Tuesday reported how bandits ambushed and killed 63 volunteer vigilante members Sunday morning in Sakaba Local Government Area of the state.
President Muhammadu Buhari again said he was saddened by the attack and called for more proactive efforts from security agents.
Danko Wasagu LGA shares boundaries with Sakaba, both under Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State.
The zone shares boundaries with Niger State, which is now one of the worst-hit states by bandits’ attacks.
Multiple sources said the bandits had targetted the deputy governor, Mr Yombe, who is from Dabai in Zuru Local Government Area.
Yombe confirmed the incidence to newsmen on Wednesday evening that he was at the village when the bandits struck.
Labaran Magaji, a native of Danko Wasagu, who spoke with newsmen, said the bandits stormed Kanya around 5 p.m.
“They (bandits) overpowered the security agents present because they fought from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deputy governor was miraculously saved while his security details were trying to repel the attack. If not because of the soldiers that came, the bandits would have overrun the village and killed the deputy governor,” he said.
According to Magaji, 13 soldiers and six police officers attached to the deputy governor’s convoy were killed.
Shehu said he heard that the deputy governor intended to spend the night and visit areas under Sakaba Local Government before the bandits struck.
Kebbi police command spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, is yet to respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack.
