The violence reportedly claimed at least 18 lives, including 13 vigilante members, after fighting broke out in the Kadobe and Audulanka areas. The confrontation followed reports of armed men moving through the Mount Ara district, prompting local vigilantes to investigate.
According to Lankai, the situation escalated after some of his fighters informed him that they had been stopped by vigilante members.
He said communication with the group was suddenly cut off during the encounter, raising concerns that they had come under attack.
The bandit leader said he immediately gathered some of his men and travelled to the location to determine what had happened. On reaching the area, he claimed they encountered armed vigilante members who had positioned themselves to launch an attack.
"When we went to the location of the incident, we arrived at the scene, the vigilantes were lying in ambush, fully armed. Some of them have two guns and some one gun, and before we knew it they started shooting at us from all direction."
Lankai alleged that three of his fighters were killed during the exchange of gunfire. He maintained that his group responded only after suffering casualties and insisted that the confrontation was not initiated by his men.
He also claimed the incident effectively brought an end to a peace agreement that had existed between his group, local residents and government authorities.
According to him, he had complied with the terms of the arrangement by preventing attacks allegedly carried out by members of his group during the period of the truce.
Lankai further accused the government of failing to fulfil commitments it allegedly made during the peace negotiations.
He claimed promises, including the release of some of his associates, were not honoured, adding that he had also experienced difficulties despite his alleged adherence to the agreement.
Tags:
Nigeria