There was palpable tension in Zaria, Kaduna State, as three persons who gathered to capture armed bandits were allegedly killed by soldiers.

According to reports, the bandits invaded Kwanar Farakwai village, Igabi Local Council of Kaduna State, on Wednesday, July 21, in an attempt to allegedly abduct some villagers, but the youths armed with weapons chased them.

The criminals reportedly hid in a rock close to the town, and the youths, who went after them in a bid to capture them, surrounded the rock.

However, a company, which houses its staff in the area, contacted some soldiers who arrived and allegedly shot at the youths gathered at the place without asking questions, a source said to SaharaReporters.

Consequently, the villagers stormed the rock and set some parts ablaze, while demanding the arrest of the kidnappers.

A villager told the publication: “Yesterday, kidnappers entered the community, but the youths of the town stopped them from operating. When the kidnappers discovered that the youths had local guns, they ran away and hid by the rock.

“The youths went after them and surrounded the rock. But there is a company around the rock. When the company officials saw the young people gathered outside, there was tension and they immediately called the attention of the soldiers, thinking the youths were kidnappers.

“When the soldiers came, they just started shooting people. As at now, 10 people are in the hospital, three people have been killed.

“The kidnappers are still inside the rock and the people of the town said they will not leave until the soldiers arrest the kidnappers and hand them over to the villagers.

“The villagers have insisted they will remain there till their desires are granted. They (the youths) have set a part of the rock ablaze.”