- Bandits abducted three persons in Gajid village, but later released on agreement that the locals would pay N2 million levy within few days
The terror bandits ability to ignore constituted authority and shed blood continues to shimmer as they killed at least 14 persons in attacks across communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria.
Sources confirmed that the terrorising bandits struck the communities few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the deployment of more military hardware to the State in order to tackle the growing insecurity.
A resident of Sabon Birni, who confirmed the attack, said the bandits invaded some villages in Unguwan Lalle district, on Tuesday night and killed one Abdullahi Usman. They also killed nine at Tsangerawa village and four at Tamindawa.
The bandits also opened fire on a commercial vehicle at Gajid village, resulting in the deaths of three persons, including the driver.
Five other passengers, who sustained gunshot injuries, are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The bandits were also said to have abducted three persons in the village.
The victims were later released after an agreement that the locals would pay N2 million levy within few days.
However, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kamaluddeen Okunlola, said only eight persons were killed by the bandits.
The Police Commissioner told Daily Trust newspaper that “they attacked some remote villages who are not accessible due to bad road. But by the Grace of God, we are going to get them. We are working on them.
“Even last night, Mr. President directed for more military equipment to Sokoto.”
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have confirmed the killing of one of their drivers who was part of the rescue mission in Running Sambo area.
Spokesperson of the Command, Hamza Adamu Illela, however said the officer (name withheld) was not killed by bandits.
“We received a distress call that, some miscreants were attacking one residence in the area and our men quickly responded to the call and in the process, our driver was gunned down.”