Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has confirmed the killing of 10 villagers, 13 vigilantes, while 60 bandits were killed in attacks in Mansur, Gwana, and Yelwa Duguri communities in Alkaleri Local Government.

Speaking on Thursday during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased, Mohammed said that the state is experiencing a “period of test”.

“We really convey our condolences, and may the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace. We know it is something that came as a test and definitely as they inflicted that serious loss on us, over 60 of them died too in a fierce battle,” he said.

The Governor consoled the family that it is not only the civilians that were killed, the vigilantes and other security forces also decimated over 60 of the bandits.

“This is to show the chivalry and the courage of our people, despite their superior firepower, we were able to contain them through these young and able-bodied vigilantes and security agencies.”

On behalf of the Federal Government, Mohammed commiserated with families, saying that the state has been assured of improved security.

“On our own part as a state government, I promise you that the vigilante organisation will employ about 2,100 people before the end of the year. We are starting immediately with three to 500 jobs with minimum implied so that we will be able to give you work to do, and we are starting with the communities that were worst hit,” he said.

“You are going to be trained by the security agencies. We are going to interact on the rules of engagement that will be acceptable so that there won’t be any extrajudicial killings but I remind the communities to be wary of informants. They are the ones giving us a way.

“They are the ones that are sabotaging us, and they are living with us. They are worse than the miscreants and the bad people who came from other places.

“Because of the sympathy the government and I have for the families of the fallen heroes, we are giving N5 million each to the family of the deceased so that they will have something to at least rely on.

“As for those who were civilians among the deceased, we are giving them N3 million each, and we have formed a committee under the Chairmanship of the Chairman of the local government for the District Heads, Security agencies to ensure equity and justice in the distribution.

“As for my vigilante people, I will give them N10 million to start with, but the committee will also give them another N10 million to purchase whatever they can in terms of fuel so that they will be able to go round.

“These people have come to the wrong place. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for our people to live.”