Abuja - Nigerian troops reported some corrupt members of the local youth vigilante, supposed to complement efforts by the army to eliminate the Boko Haram terror and bandits, had been working as informants of the perpetrators.
They thus been endangering the lives of security forces.
This has emerged after the arrest of an alleged collaborator and informant of the bandits in the northwestern Kaduna State.
Musa Magabe, the suspect, reportedly told army detectives he supplied information to the bandits on troops and security agents movement and often points residence of uncompromising vigilantes and leaders for elimination.
It is reported he further stated that he passed information to armed bandits in Falgore forest, said to be a haven of rustlers and militants.
Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the suspect was being investigated and efforts were on to prevent such treachery through proper screening of local vigilante.
Meanwhile, that has not deterred the army, with the recent killing of militants and kidnappers, rescue of five people and recovery of over 200 livestock at the hands of militants after operations held this past weekend.
In Bakassi in the Niger Delta, troops of 13 Brigade and Operation Delta Safe repelled an attack by militants, killing seven of them including some wearing Nigerian military camouflage.
In the northern Bauchi State, troops killed two kidnappers and rescued four women and a child held hostage by the abductors.
In the northwestern Katsina State, operations against livestock rustlers, armed bandits and kidnappers have culminated in the arrest of two suspected livestock rustlers.
Troops recovered about 300 rustled goats and sheep.