At least three people have been killed following a violent clash between local vigilantes and aggrieved youths in Kpakungu and Gbeganu areas of Minna, Niger State.
The violence erupted on Saturday night after a vigilante operative reportedly shot dead a man identified as Aliyu during an operation to arrest suspected miscreants in the Kpakungu area.
The incident, which occurred around 10pm along the Minna-Bida Road in Chanchaga Local Government Area, triggered protests by youths in the community.
According to findings, the youths mobilised in the early hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, blocked the Minna-Bida Road and disrupted traffic in protest of the killing.
The youths were also said to have moved towards Gbeganu, where they allegedly attacked residents, resulting in the deaths of two additional persons.
The two victims were reportedly buried shortly after the incident.
Confirming the development, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said tactical teams had been deployed to the affected areas to contain the violence.
According to him, the rioters were dispersed and the affected road cleared to restore the free flow of traffic.
Abiodun added that police patrol teams remained in the area and had restored normalcy.
He explained that efforts were ongoing to arrest the vigilante operative allegedly responsible for Aliyu’s death as well as other persons linked to the violence.
The police spokesperson assured that the command would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to prevent further escalation.
