(JUST IN) Deadly Attack: Bandits Kill 11 Vigilante Members in Bauchi Oil Rich Community

At least 11 vigilante members were killed in the early hours of Sunday during an ambush by armed bandits in Mansur village, located in the Gwana district of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State. The tragic incident, which occurred around 5:40 a.m., has left residents of the area in shock and fear.

According to the police spokesperson in Bauchi, Ahmed Wakil, the attackers also suffered casualties in the exchange. He confirmed that a combined team of hunters from Duguri and Gwana districts encountered the ambush while on a routine patrol near the Dajin Madam forest, which borders Plateau State.

The vigilantes had reportedly been patrolling Mansur, Digare, and Yalo—farming communities near an oil exploration site—to protect residents from persistent threats by criminal elements. Locals said the attackers also rustled livestock and caused panic among farmers preparing for the planting season.

Preliminary investigations suggest the vigilantes, along with some civilians from Sabuwar Sara village, were attempting to flee when they were caught in the ambush. A police tactical team was deployed to the area to recover bodies and assess the situation. Authorities have since engaged local stakeholders and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.

Communities in Alkaleri have faced repeated assaults from armed groups operating across the rugged terrain that connects Bauchi with Gombe, Taraba, and Plateau states. These criminals have exploited the area’s rocky hills as hideouts, carrying out kidnappings and raids that have displaced many locals.

Alkaleri gained national attention in 2022 when then-President Muhammadu Buhari launched Nigeria’s first crude oil drilling project in the North from this region. Despite its economic potential, the area continues to grapple with insecurity.