At least three people have been killed following a clash between local vigilantes and youths in Kpakungu and Gbeganu areas of Minna, the Niger State capital.
The incident began at about 10:30pm on Saturday, October 3, when vigilantes reportedly mobilised to Kpakungu to arrest some suspected miscreants.
According to the Niger State Police Command, a vigilante member allegedly shot and killed a man identified as Aliyu during the operation, triggering protests in the area.
The situation escalated in the early hours of Sunday when some youths reportedly blocked the Minna-Bida Road in protest against the killing before moving to the Gbeganu area, where they allegedly attacked residents.
Two additional deaths were subsequently reported during the violence, bringing the number of fatalities to three.
Local sources said the two victims were buried according to local customs.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said tactical teams had been deployed to the affected areas to disperse the rioters and restore normalcy.
He said the Minna-Bida Road had subsequently been cleared to allow the free flow of traffic.
Abiodun added that the police were working to arrest the vigilante member suspected of firing the fatal shot, as well as other individuals allegedly involved in the violence.
The Police Command urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that security personnel had been deployed to prevent further violence and maintain peace in the affected communities.