Police arrest fleeing vigilante killer after two years in Niger

Police in Niger State have arrested a suspected vigilante killer who had been on the run for two years following an alleged murder committed in 2024, authorities announced.

The suspect, identified as Sudais Zakari, was apprehended by law enforcement officers after a prolonged manhunt that began when he fled following the alleged killing. His arrest brings to a close a two-year pursuit that had seen police following multiple leads across different locations as Zakari evaded capture.

According to police sources, Zakari is suspected of committing murder while operating as part of a vigilante group, though specific details about the circumstances of the killing and the victim’s identity have not been fully disclosed. Vigilante groups have become increasingly common in parts of Nigeria as communities seek to address security challenges, though their operations have sometimes resulted in extrajudicial violence and human rights concerns.

The arrest was the result of coordinated intelligence gathering and investigative work by Niger State police command, which had been tracking Zakari’s movements and networks during his time as a fugitive. Authorities praised the diligence of officers who refused to let the case go cold despite the passage of time.

Zakari is now in police custody and is expected to be charged with murder and potentially other offenses related to his alleged vigilante activities and his flight from justice. He will face prosecution as authorities seek to hold him accountable for the crime committed two years ago.

The case highlights ongoing challenges with vigilante justice in Nigeria, where communities frustrated by insecurity sometimes form self-defense groups that operate outside the formal legal system. While some vigilante organizations work cooperatively with police, others have been accused of engaging in violence, extortion, and other criminal activities under the guise of community protection.

Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for the regulation and oversight of vigilante groups to prevent abuses and ensure that security operations remain within the bounds of law. The arrest of Zakari serves as a reminder that individuals who commit crimes while claiming to provide security will ultimately face legal consequences.

Niger State Police Command has urged anyone with information about other vigilante-related crimes or fugitives to come forward, emphasizing that no one is above the law regardless of how long they remain at large.

Zakari is expected to appear in court soon to answer to the charges against him as the legal process moves forward.