At least 25 people lost their lives in a violent clash between suspected bandits and local vigilante groups in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Sunday, according to local officials and residents.
The clash occurred in the early hours of May 4, 2025, around the Dajin Madam forest, a notorious zone along the Bauchi-Plateau border. Police say the incident began when a joint patrol team made up of professional hunters and vigilantes from Duguri and Gwana districts stumbled upon armed bandits who had earlier raided villages and kidnapped residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Bauchi, CSP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the attack, saying the patrol team was ambushed during their routine security operation. “This confrontation resulted in numerous casualties on both sides, including members of the vigilante group and the bandits themselves,” Wakil noted.
Following the attack, a tactical police team was sent to the area and recovered the bodies of victims. Investigations revealed that among the dead were nine vigilante members and 11 abducted residents from Sabuwar Sara village, all reportedly gunned down while attempting to escape.
Community members reported that the conflict erupted after the vigilantes trailed the bandits who had kidnapped 16 villagers and stolen around 500 cattle from nearby communities. When the bandits noticed the vigilantes were closing in, they opened fire, leading to an hour-long gunfight.
“It wasn’t an attack on a village but a direct clash between vigilantes and bandits,” said Shehu Ibrahim, a Duguri resident. Another source said vigilantes from different parts of Bauchi and Plateau States had formed a joint team to recover the abductees and stolen livestock.
Local youth leader Comrade Bala Mohammed Duguri confirmed the casualties, stating, “The bandits killed four vigilantes in Duguri, five in Mansur, as well as other residents and some of the criminals.”
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reacted to the news by expressing his grief and offering condolences to the families affected.
His media aide, Mukhtar Gidado, in a statement, called the violence “a painful reminder of the continued threat posed by criminal elements.” The governor also assured that security efforts are being stepped up and that those responsible will be held accountable.
Alkaleri LGA, where the attack happened, is one of three major banditry hotspots in the state. Other areas like Burra-Lame forest in Ningi LGA and mountainous regions of Toro LGA have also experienced frequent attacks. Security experts say the dense terrain of the Yankari forest has made it a haven for displaced criminals from neighboring states.
