At least 11 local vigilante members have been confirmed dead following a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits in the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Several others remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll may increase.

The confrontation took place on Friday when members of the community-based vigilante group intercepted approximately 40 bandits who were attempting to raid Magonho village.

According to a local source, the assailants arrived on about 20 motorcycles and were heavily armed. They reportedly opened fire after their attack was thwarted.

The source said, “initially it was confirmed that two vigilantes were killed in the early exchange of gunfire.

“The number rose to 11 by Saturday after security operatives recovered more bodies from the surrounding Lakurawa forest enclave, believed to be a stronghold of the armed group”

Another eyewitnesses revealed that the vigilantes had mobilized quickly in response to intelligence about the bandits’ movements, managing to repel the first wave of the assault and recover some of the rustled livestock.

He said following the retreat, troops from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Masallaci launched a pursuit operation, successfully reclaiming some of the stolen animals.

“The bandits returned to Magonho shortly after their initial retreat and they set fire on the community’s MTN communication mast and unleashed sporadic gunfire before fleeing again into the forest”

The source however confirmed that efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining corpses and locate missing vigilantes. “Security forces, including soldiers and personnel from other agencies stationed in Binji and Racca, are coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the dense Lakurawa forest”.

The latest attack has reignited concerns over the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Sokoto State, particularly in its rural communities, where vigilante groups often serve as the first line of defense against criminal gangs.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack and the MTN mast that was set ablaze, but could not confirm the figure of the vigilante killed.

According to him, “Yes, there was a report of attack in the area and the setting up of MTN mast in the community.

“On the number of casualties, I would have to get back to you on the figure as I cannot confirm the figure for now”.

At least four soldiers were feared killed and several military assets destroyed following an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province/Boko Haram on the 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Buni Yadi, located in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The attack occurred less than 24 hours after the North-East Governors’ Forum convened in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where they endorsed a comprehensive strategy to combat insurgency in the region.

Just two weeks earlier, Boko Haram insurgents reportedly launched an assault on a military post in the Chalie area of Buni Yadi, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, one of the political aides to the state governor, Mai Mala Buni, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said about four soldiers were killed in the Saturday attack.

“There was an attack by the Boko Haram militants. They engaged the soldiers in a gun battle. They killed about four soldiers and vandalised their machines, including armoured tanks and some weapons,” he said.

The source noted that Buni, who was out of the state at the time, returned on the same day amid the attack.

He stated, “He (Buni) was in Katsina State for a wedding. He came back because of this incident, and action has commenced immediately.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army, in a post on its official X handle on Saturday morning, disclosed that it was battling the terrorists.

The post read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI currently in a fierce battle against ISWAP attack at Buni Gari, Yobe State. Details later.”

Efforts by our correspondents to get the Army spokesperson, Onyechi Anele, were not successful.

She didn’t pick up her calls as of the time of filing this report. She has yet to respond to a message sent to her.

A Nigerian man was involved in a car accident just days before his wedding after arriving in Nigeria, but he still used crutches to walk on his big day.

The story was shared in a post on the popular social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Man walks with crutches on wedding day.

According to the post, the man sustained injuries to his legs in the accident shortly after returning to Nigeria, just days before his wedding.

Despite his injuries, he didn’t let them stop him from participating in his wedding and enjoying his traditional marriage ceremony with his bride.

In the video shared online, the man can be seen walking slowly, using crutches, while walking beside his bride during the ceremony.

The video quickly gained attention, with many individuals flooding the comment section to share their thoughts.

See some reactions below:

@airdropbabe6: “Cancel the trad is a sign.”

@EziokwuBuNdu16: “It might be a sign but some people will blame the village people.”

@nzekwe_arinze: “Why him no cancel am to recover first.”

WATCH VIDEO:

He had an acc!dent a few days before his traditional wedding, shortly after returning to Nigeria from the diaspora. He used crutches on the day of the traditional ceremony pic.twitter.com/uTSS3SXrVs

— CHUKS (@ChuksEricE) May 3, 2025