Police spokesman in Niger said the police teams were on the trail of the hoodlums to apprehend them.
A vigilante member was killed in an attempt to rescue two residents of Duma village kidnapped by gunmen in the Lapai Local Government Area of Niger.
A spokesperson for the police in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said the gunmen abducted the two victims from Duma village while working on a farm and disappeared into the forest in Rafin-Daji, Abaji area.
“Unfortunately, Police tactical team with some vigilante members who were on a rescue operation engaged the kidnappers while one of the vigilante members lost his life,” Mr Abiodun said.
He said the police teams were on the trail of the hoodlums to apprehend them.
Mr Abiodun appealed to residents, especially rural dwellers, to remain calm as police and other security agencies would not relent in the ongoing fight against banditry.
He called for support for security agencies by giving intelligence information that could aid in apprehending criminal elements in the state.
The police spokesperson also called on them not to hesitate to report any person or group of persons with gunshot injuries to the nearest security outfit for necessary action.
(NAN)
