Suspected military bomb kills seven vigilantes, injures eight in Niger

A suspected military bomb dropped by a Nigerian Air Force jet killed seven members of a local vigilante group and injured eight others on Thursday in Kukoki-Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The blast struck a camp occupied by the vigilantes, also known as DSS Hunters, while they were gathered to plan a response to reported bandit movements near the community.

Sources said that the injured were rushed to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for treatment, as some suffered severe wounds, including the complete loss of both legs.

According to the Commander of the vigilante group in Kukoki, Ayuba Umar Kamas, three aircraft were sighted in the area. One of them flew over their position and released the bomb, adding that the seven dead included four from Kukoki, one from Bassa and three from Matuku.

Kamas expressed dismay that the aircraft struck their camp while suspected bandits, travelling on about 250 motorcycles and moving rustled cattle, passed freely through the area.

Community sources said the Air Force team may have received intelligence about terrorist movements but missed the intended target.

It was learnt that the injured persons were first moved by motorcycle before being taken to the hospital in Minna.