Two Dead, Several Injured As Youths And Vigilante Group Clash In Kontagora, Niger State

Two young men have been confirmed dead
with several injured in a clash between
youths and members of a vigilante group
and in Angwan Yaman, Kontagora Local
Government Area of Niger State.



Spokesperson for the Niger State Police
Command, (DSP) Bala Elkana, who
confirmed the incident in Minna on Friday,
said the violence which broke out on
Thursday was caused by the death of a 17-
old boy who was allegedly tortured by
members of the vigilance group.


“Only two people died while five
others sustained injuries, with one of
the youths a female, critically injured,”
he said.



He added that death of the boy led to
violent demonstration by the youths in the
area against the vigilance group which led
to the death of the second victim.



The second victim, 20- year old man, was
killed when members of the vigilance
group used firearms to disperse the
protesting youths, who attempted to burn
their head office.



He said that anti-riot police were drafted to
the area to restore peace and bring the
demonstration under control.


Meanwhile, two personnel of the vigilance
group had been arrested by the police for
torturing the 17-year old boy.



"We have ordered the arrest of
members of the vigilance group who
were alleged to have arrested, kept
and tortured the young man as they
have no power to do so." said Elkana.


“There is no law authorising them to
detain anybody talkless of torturing
the person.


They only have the power
to arrest anyone who commit an
offence in their presence and hand
him over to the police. For keeping
the deceased youth in their detention
camp and torturing him, they will face
the wrath of the law.


If his death is
linked to the torture, then they will be
charged with culpable homicide
which is punishable with death.



“So far, two persons have been
arrested and we are still investigating
to get the rest involved.


The youths
should have reported the incident to
the police instead of taking the law
into their hands,” he added.