Panic grips residents Of the Mada community in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara as they desert their homes for fear of more attacks from bandits after the killing of seven vigilante members on Sunday.

The Police Command in the state who confirmed the incident on Monday said officers of the police force to the community to ensure their safety.

A source identified as Yusuf Anka, a resident of the community told newsmen that the vigilante commander, Danmudi Na Mada, led his colleagues to attack a hideout of the bandits and killed one notorious bandit famously called “Mala’ikan mutuawa” meaning “Angel of death” in Hausa language.

Anka narrated that the killing of the notorious bandits, angered other bandits who organized themselves launched the reprisal attack that led to the death of the Vigilante.

He said that the notorious bandit was accused of setting ablaze homes of innocent Fulanis in Tsafe community.

The slain Vigilante leader who was seen as a hero by locals was praised for securing Hausa communities, especially Mada and Wonaka but he was also accused of killing innocent Fulanis.

Also, a source who pleaded for anonymity told Premium Times that the well coordinated attack on the vigilante members took place around 10:47 pm on Sunday.

He said that the bandits wanted to take over Mada town and Wanakat but were resisted.

He said that gun duel between them lasted for hours before they overpowered the vigilante which led to the death of the vigilante leader and six others before they finally got back up from soldiers and policemen who made overpowered the bandits.

He added that residents of the community are living in fear of not knowing what will happen to them at night as he said that the bandits are angry with the community people for providing information to vigilante members which made the bandits see them as enemies.