Two vigilantes, Adamu Mohammed and Usman Aliyu, who are affiliated with a local vigilante outpost in the Kwangila area of Minna, the capital of Niger State, have been taken into custody at the Kpakungu police station.
They were arrested in connection with an alleged assault on a married woman, during which her clothing was reportedly torn.
According to reports, the incident unfolded when the victim, a woman visiting a private clinic in the Kpakungu area to attend to a relative who had been admitted, was approached by the vigilantes under false pretenses. The woman was allegedly lured out of the clinic with a fabricated message and directed to a nearby roadside, where she encountered four vigilantes. The vigilantes, according to the victim, insisted that she enter a tricycle, demanding that she identify a specific number.
The victim, who spoke with City & Crime, said that when she requested to contact her husband before complying with their demands, one of the vigilantes forcibly seized her phone. At that point, a female vigilante began physically assaulting her, which escalated into the tearing of her clothing.
The victim’s account describes a distressing encounter that left her traumatized. After the incident, the victim promptly reported the matter to the authorities, leading to the detention of the two suspects. When contacted for confirmation, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, verified the occurrence of the incident and stated that both Mohammed and Aliyu are currently being held in custody as the investigation continues.
This troubling incident highlights concerns over the actions of vigilante groups in the region and underscores the importance of accountability and proper conduct when performing security-related duties. The authorities have assured that the matter will be fully investigated and that justice will be pursued for the victim.
