“Vigilante Justice: Four Bandits Fall at Yankari Game Reserve”

Member of a regional vigilante organization, Hambali Sa’adu, has been slain following an ambush by alleged armed criminals at the Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State.

The occurrence was revealed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, in a statement released on Tuesday.

As per the statement, the event transpired on Sunday at approximately 1:30pm along the Bakin Layi corridor of the reserve, when a collaborative patrol team made up of police officers from the Mai-Ari Outpost and members of a regional vigilante group came under intense gunfire from criminals who had set a trap.

During the assault, the deceased, a 27-year-old native of Mai-Ari Village in Maimadi Ward, suffered critical gunshot injuries. He was subsequently declared deceased by a medical professional, and his body was interred in accordance with Islamic traditions.

The police indicated that the security team regrouped after the initial assault and initiated a counteroffensive against the attackers.

“In a demonstration of valor, the combined security team pursued the fleeing criminals and engaged them in a vigorous gunfight. The superior firepower and tactical maneuver forced the assailants to withdraw, with several escaping with suspected gunshot injuries,” the statement noted.

The command further stated that four of the criminals were killed during the exchange of fire, while four additional suspects were apprehended and are presently in custody undergoing investigation.

Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and the Mai-Ari community, labeling the fallen vigilante as a courageous patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of his community.

He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to combating banditry and other violent offenses, directing intensified search operations around Yankari Game Reserve.