Seven members of a local vigilante group have been killed after armed bandits attacked a security camp in Niger State.

The attack occurred on Saturday at Matseri Camp in Kotonkoro District of Mariga Local Government Area.

According to information shared by security expert Bakatsine on X, the attackers reportedly came from the Sangeko area of neighbouring Zamfara State. They launched a surprise assault on the vigilantes’ camp, opening fire on security volunteers stationed there.

Sources said the vigilantes fought back and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle before they were eventually overwhelmed.

Quoting sources, Bakatsine stated: “However, the security volunteers reportedly succeeded in killing several of the bandits during the exchange of gunfire.”

The incident adds to growing security concerns in parts of Niger and Zamfara States, where armed groups have continued to carry out attacks on communities and security personnel.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not released an official statement on the incident.

A man identified as Obikoya Gbenga Adewale has allegedly committed suicide in Molode, Sabo area of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The incident was sad to have occurred on Saturday.

In a viral video, the lifeless body of the deceased suspected to be in his 40s was seen hanging from a roof outside a house.

Voices accompanying the video alleged that the man doesn’t stay in the house but came there to kill himself.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun State, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that the corpse has been evacuated and preserved for further examination.

Babaseyi added that investigation has commenced to unravel circumstances surrounding the death.

He said, “On Saturday, about 0840hrs, information was received that one Obikoya Gbenga Adewale (M), an adult male of Sabo Area, Ijebu Ode, was found dead in circumstances suspected to be suicide.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), accompanied by his team, visited the scene. Necessary documentation was carried out and photographs were taken in line with standard procedure.

“The body was preserved for further examination, while investigations have commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.”

The police spokesperson encouraged residents to prioritize their health, especially their mental health.

Babaseyi reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and promoting community wellbeing, and urged anyone with concerns about a loved one to reach out early and get support.

No fewer than 11 persons, including a pregnant woman and six children, have reportedly died in a boat mishap in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred between 7 pm and 8 pm on Saturday as the victims were crossing a river from Wadata to Daududawada community during a heavy downpour that swept across parts of Makurdi.

Commander of a local vigilante group, Operation Shara (Sweep), in North Bank, Nura Umar, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased comprised a pregnant woman, six children and four other adults.

Umar said the victims were mourners from Daududawada, an island community located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Barracks in Makurdi’s North Bank area.

According to him, the victims had travelled to Wadata for the burial of a woman from their community who died after being taken to a private hospital in North Bank for treatment.

“What happened was that we took a sick woman who lived in the community behind NASME to a private hospital in North Bank on Saturday morning, where she later died,” he said.

He further stated that the relatives of the deceased from the community joined them for the burial, which took place at Wadata. After the burial ceremony, they boarded a boat to return to Daududawada because it was a shorter route than travelling by road.

“At about 7 pm, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds started, causing the boat to capsize midway through the journey.

“There were over 40 passengers on board, but 11 are feared dead. So far, we have recovered four bodies and buried them, while divers are still searching for the remaining seven victims,” he said.

Umar further disclosed that one of the survivors lost her baby during the incident.