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Tag: Sokoto

  • 23 burnt to death as bandits ambush, set vehicle conveying 30 passengers ablaze in Sokoto

    23 burnt to death as bandits ambush, set vehicle conveying 30 passengers ablaze in Sokoto

    The Sokoto State Police Commissioner, Kamaludeen Okunola, has confirmed twenty-three deaths following an attack on travellers in Angwan Bawa, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    He confirmed the figure shortly after briefing Governor Aminu Tambuwal in an emergency security meeting summoned by the governor on Wednesday.

    The CP described the incident as unfortunate, noting that security personnel have been mobilized to the area to fish out the perpetrators and prevent a recurrence.

    Earlier, the spokesman of the Sokoto Police Command Sanusi Abubakar had narrated that a vehicle, which was conveying twenty-four passengers, was attacked by bandits, leading to the death of eighteen persons.

    He, however, explained that after verifying from local authorities and police officers on the ground, it was confirmed that the vehicle was conveying thirty passengers.

    The police spokesman said only nine of the occupants survived while twenty-one were burnt beyond recognition.

    Villagers said the vehicle conveying the travellers was ambushed and shot at before the suspected bandits burnt the vehicle and its occupants.

    The victims were said to be local migrant traders heading to the Kaduna village market in Gadan Gayan.

    Sokoto State, just like other states in the North-West region has been ravaged by banditry of recent, which has led to the loss of lives and properties.

    As part of measures to contain the situation, the state government shut down telecommunication services in some selected local governments, perceived to be the worst hit by the bandits.

  • Police confirm nine killed in fresh bandits’ attacks on Sokoto villages

    Police confirm nine killed in fresh bandits’ attacks on Sokoto villages

    No fewer than nine persons have been killed in a fresh attack on three villages in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State by bandits.

    The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the development on Thursday.

    Speaking on the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sanusi, said the victims were killed in separate attacks that took place from November 15 to 17.

    He said the first attack which took place at Garin Zago in Sabon Birni local government, resulted in the death of three persons and three others were kidnapped.

    According to him, a vehicle was attacked in another attack in Gaji village on November 16, but no casualty was recorded.

    The police spokesman said another attack took place on the 17th of November, at Sangirawa village where six persons were killed by the assailants and several others injured.

    Based on the findings of the police personnel on the ground in the local government, Sanusi said the three attacks resulted in the death of nine persons contrary to the figures been circulated by different sources.

    Despite the figures released by the police authorities, sources allege that 21 persons were killed at different locations within the local government area.

    A former chairman of the local government area, Idris Gobir said the bandits killed eight persons in Sangirawa village, four in Sabindawa and an additional three in Garin Gado village.

    Gobir added that three were also killed in Gaje village, three in Gaju village and additional three others in Garin Zago with several others injured.

  • ‘You have no place to hide’, Buhari sends warning message to bandits as Tambuwal confirms killing of 43 people in bloody Sokoto attacks

    ‘You have no place to hide’, Buhari sends warning message to bandits as Tambuwal confirms killing of 43 people in bloody Sokoto attacks

    Forty-three people have been confirmed killed in the wake of the attack by bandits on Goronyo township in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    The state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who made the clarification on Monday said the toll was confirmed after due diligence on figures of those who lost their lives to the market attack that occurred the previous day.

    While receiving the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Governor Tambuwal had said the bandits killed about 30 people.

    “The number of people that died in Goronyo; I did say it was above 30. I was not categorical about the figure,” he was quoted as saying in a statement by his media adviser, Muhammad Bello.

    “We just finished a meeting with some stakeholders and I have confirmed that we lost 43 people, unfortunately to that incident. May God Almighty have mercy on their souls.”

    In his reaction to the killing, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a tough warning to bandits, saying their clock of ultimate destruction was ticking and they would no longer have a place to hide.

    “The days of the bandits are indeed numbered because the military capabilities of our forces are being boosted by the acquisition and deployment of advanced equipment,” he was also quoted to have said in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

    According to the President, bandits are living in the fool’s paradise of invincibility, but reality will soon dawn on them harder than ever before.

    He stressed that the criminals were under desperate pressure because of the intense and sustained air and ground operations against them in their hideouts by the nation’s security forces.

    “The cowardly attacks on innocent people by the bandits show a rear-guard action of criminals under pressure,” President Buhari added.

    “But they will have no place to hide, and our gallant security forces will not relent in the current offensive to defeat these callous enemies of humanity.”

    He appealed to all Nigerians not to despair, saying his administration was more determined to protect Nigerians from murderous criminal gangs that have no respect for the sanctity human of life.

    The President also sympathised with the families of the victims and called on the people to continue to be patient as the military strategises on how to crush the bandits.

  • Over 30 killed in overnight attacks on Sokoto market

    Over 30 killed in overnight attacks on Sokoto market

    Suspected bandits have attacked the Goronyo market in Goronyo Local Government Area in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State.

    Sources in the village said the assailants attacked the market in large numbers on Sunday night, shooting sporadically and killing several persons.

    Reacting to the attack on Monday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal said about 30 people were feared dead in Goronyo township, the headquarters of Goronyo local government area.

    He disclosed this when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya paid him a courtesy visit.

    “Between last night, yesterday evening till this morning, we were greeted with a very dastardly attack in Goronyo local government, particularly Goronyo Township, where scores and tens have lost their lives and still counting. We’re not sure of the figure. But it is 30 something,” he said.

    The governor noted that the army chief has “come at a very trying moment for the army and the Nigerian nation. We’re faced and bedevilled by many security challenges in our own area here, particularly banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes.”

    He called for synergy between the army and other security operatives in the state while requesting for the presence of more forces in the state and the deployment of more resources.

    Tambuwal also pledged that his administration will continue to support the army and other security operatives.

    The latest attack is the third time in two weeks bandits have attacked a village market in Sokoto State.

    Earlier this month, 20 persons were killed at Ungwan Lalle market in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

    For several weeks troops have been conducting air and ground operations on bandit camps in neighbouring Zamfara state where authorities have shut down telecom services to disrupt communication between the gangs.

  • Bandits invade market, gun down 20 villagers in Sokoto

    Bandits invade market, gun down 20 villagers in Sokoto

    Bandits have invaded a market at Ungwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State and shot 20 villagers dead.

    It was gathered that the bandits stormed the market and started shooting sporadically at anyone on sight and successfully gunned down 20 people.

    They were said to have arrived the market in large number.

    Many people were said to be injured in the attack.

    Confirming the attack, member representing Sabon Birni North, Aminu Almustapha Gobir, said the whole Sabon Birni was in a mourning state over the attack.

    “Sabon Birni is under siege, this is what I have been telling you people and the government is not happy about it,” he said

    Gobir, who witnessed the burial of the two brothers, noted that traders from different places were killed by the attackers.

    However, the state government has blamed the traders for the attack because all rural markets in the eastern part of the state were banned as part of measures to curtail banditry.

    The Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd), stated while speaking with newsmen.

    The Sokoto State Police Command is yet to issue a statement on the attack.

    Several bandits have fled from Zamfara State to Sokoto State after the military’s sustained attack on them, driving them away from the area.

  • Bandits write Sokoto monarch, demand N20m ransom for 20 abducted villagers

    Bandits write Sokoto monarch, demand N20m ransom for 20 abducted villagers

    Suspected bandits operating in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto state have allegedly written a letter to a monarch in Burkusuma demanding for ransom to secure the release of 20 persons kidnapped from two communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

    The letter was allegedly written in the Hausa language by one of the victims kidnapped by the bandits and addressed to Sarkin Rafin Burkusuma, the district head of the area.

    The bandits informed the monarch that the victims kidnapped from Gatawa and Burkusuma are all in good health and doing great.

    They thereafter demanded the sum of N20 million to be paid for the release of the kidnap victims.

    The kidnapped victims, whose names were all written in the letter, consist of nine males, eight females and two children.

    According to reports, one of the victims was released to deliver the letter to Gatawa through the Sarkin Rakin Burkusuma.

    Multiple sources have it that the bandits have resorted to sending letters to families of kidnapped victims since the shutdown of telecommunication services in the area.

    Sokoto, just like other states of the North-West has been ravaged by bandits’ activities who kidnap for ransom, kill, steal and maim people.

    Just two days ago, bandits had attacked Gangara and Gatawa all in Sabon Birni local government where residents said over twenty persons were killed and 27 persons were kidnapped.

    Although the police authorities confirmed the killing of four persons in Gangara town, they, however, did not give detail on the attack in Gatawa

  • Bandits attack military base in Sokoto, many feared dead, injured

    Bandits attack military base in Sokoto, many feared dead, injured

    Bandits have attacked a joint military camp in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    The Sokoto State Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd) confirmed the attack but was not sure of the number of casualties.

    However, multiple reports suggest that many may have died following the attack.

    Residents of the area and security sources said the gunmen attacked the base, codenamed “Burkusuma Camp”, in the early hours of Friday, killing an unknown number of military personnel.

    According to the sources, the armed men came in their large numbers and started shooting at the camp from all angles.

    The military source could not confirm if the said camp is the same with the Burkusuma camp in Sabo Birni Local Government Area.

    Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Sabon Birni, Idris Muhammad Gobir, also known as Danchadi, told newsmen that the “Burkusuma Camp” was attacked with several security operatives in the place still missing.

    He said the marauding bandits also burnt down two patrol vehicles and carted away another one which was used to convey food items stolen from the villagers.

    Although telecommunication services have been shut down in North West State, the former chairman explained that a resident of Burkusuma who accessed mobile telecommunication service from Niger Republic told them about the attack.

    Another resident of the area who craved anonymity, equally confirmed the development, explaining that some vehicles were sent to evacuate the corpses of the fallen heroes.

    He said over 10 trucks conveying armed military personnel are in the forest trailing the bandits.

    A personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who sought anonymity, said that three persons from the agency were among the casualties.

    According to reports, after carrying out the attack, the bandits later went to another village, Katsira, and shot four persons.

    Two of the victims died instantly while others were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    The bandits also abducted three persons from the village.

    However, security personnel in the area, including the spokesman of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Yahaya Ngulde, however, said they are not aware of the incident.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Abubakar also said he has not been briefed about the latest assault on the state.

  • Mob razes commissioner’s home, destroys district head’s properties in Sokoto

    Mob razes commissioner’s home, destroys district head’s properties in Sokoto

    A mob has razed the residence of the Sokoto State Commissioner of Career and Security Affairs, Colonel Garba Moyi.

    The house, located in Isa Local Government Area of the North West State, was burned down on Tuesday.

    Sokoto Police Command Public Relations Officer Sanusi Abubakar confirmed the attack on Wednesday, explaining that arrests have also been made following the incident.

    While narrating how the incident took place, the police spokesman said a peaceful gathering was organised by some residents of the area to discuss the way forward over security issues.

    The gathering, according to Abubakar, was organised in good faith and resolutions were to be forwarded to appropriate quarters for further action.

    However, he said some bad elements hijacked it for a protest that went violent, leading to the unfortunate incident.

    Sources in the area said after torching the commissioner’s home, the youths also stormed the residence of the District Head and Sarkin Gobir of Isa, Nasiru Ahmed, destroying vehicles and other items.

    Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police Kamaludeen Okunola has ordered a full scale investigation to ensure those involved are prosecuted. He also warned residents of the state against taking laws into their hands.

  • Brave Sokoto residents go after bandits, capture six, set them ablaze

    Brave Sokoto residents go after bandits, capture six, set them ablaze

    Some angry community members in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State have set ablaze six suspected armed bandits said to have been involved in an attack that took place on Friday.

    During the attack on Friday, the bandits were said to have killed two people and abducted four others.

    A source who pleaded anonymity after the attack, members of the community chased the bandits and caught them in the nearby bushes.

    While the police were also on ground and planning to transport the suspects to the command headquarters in Sokoto, the angry community members overpowered them and forcefully snatched the suspects from the security personnel.

    Thereafter, all the six bandits were set ablaze.

    When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sanusi Abubakar, confirmed the incident but refused to give any further comments.

  • Bandits kill one, abduct scores in Sokoto

    Bandits kill one, abduct scores in Sokoto

    The Police Command in Sokoto State on Saturday confirmed the killing of one person and the abduction of several others, as a result of an attack by some unknown gunmen in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.

    The Spokesperson of the command, ASP Sunusi Abubakar, who confirmed the attack to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, said the attack occurred on Friday evening.

    “We have received a report of an attack by unknown gunmen who stormed the headquarters of Tangaza LGA on Friday evening.

    “The bandits killed one of the traders, abducted yet an unspecified number of people and in the process carted away foodstuffs and drinks.

    “However, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies are still investigating the matter,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a source from Tangaza who confided in NAN said that the suspected armed bandits, who shot sporadically killed the trader on the spot and another young girl who died after being taken to the hospital.

    He added that three other persons sustained injuries and were currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

    “However, the timely intervention of security agencies, alongside local vigilante, had led to the rescue of one of the five children abducted by the gunmen,” he said.

    NAN reports that the ongoing security operations in Zamfara and some neighboring States, as well as the closure of major markets in the states were taking a huge toll on the suspected bandits.