By LUKA BINNIYAT
KADUNA— Soldiers drafted to maintain security in Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Monday night, shot dead a member of the vigilante group in Anfana village, the District Head of the area, Mr. Kure Mallam, has said.

Anfana is five kilometres east of Kafanchan, the commercial hub of southern  Kaduna.

Mallam confirmed the killing of the man in a telephone interview with Vanguard in Kaduna yesterday.

Also, Chairman of Zangon-Kataf Local Government, Mr. Dominic Yahaya, confirmed the incident, noting that it might have been a case of mistaken identity.

He said: “I was informed that there was a problem between our youths in Anfana and some soldiers. I am still waiting for the details. Someone told me that it was a case of mistaken identity, because the soldiers thought they were armed robbers that had set a road block in the area. But, I am still waiting for details.”

Speaking on the issue, the District Head said: ‘’We have been living under severe threats by gunmen that have always invaded our villages.

’’We had no choice than to form vigilante groups to watch over our villages. Last night (Monday) soldiers on patrol accosted some of our vigilante people around 11pm and opened fire on them after a minor argument.

’’One boy, Gideon Luka, 19, was shot and he died instantly there. Another one is lying critically ill at the Kafanchan General Hospital. We are always under constant humiliation and physical abuse by soldiers.”

Kaduna State Police Spokesman, Assistant Superintendent Aminu Lawan, said he had not been briefed about the incident, but asked Vanguard to reach one Major Fred, whom he said was one of the high ranking soldiers deployed to the place.

However, the said Major Fred declined comments when Vanguard called him on telephone, saying he would call back, but failed to.