Bandits invade Sokoto communities kill 3, abduct many others

Bandits invade Sokoto communities kill 3, abduct many others

Members of the vigilante group known as Yansakai have attacked pastoral communities after bandits murdered three people and kidnapped several others in the Soro community of the Binji Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Monday at approximately 1:00 a.m., local sources report that criminals attacked the Soro community.

“They came in large numbers with their animals suspected to be rustled from other communities.

“They killed three of our people and injured another three. They also abducted several others including a whole family.

“Shortly after the attack, our Yansakai mobilised and attacked the neighbouring Fulani communities. They killed some of their men and set their houses on fire,” a resident of the area who craved anonymity said.

The source added that, “There was a rumour that the Fulanis held a meeting a few hours before the attack. So, our people suspected that was how the attack was planned because there had been an existing animosity between the two communities.

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“As I am talking to you, many people have fled the affected villages for fear of reprisal attacks,” the source said.

Another source told Daily Trust that normalcy was restored in the communities, following the deployment of security operatives in the area.

Spokesman for the Sokoto Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i confirmed the development.

“Some gunmen suspected to be bandits launched an attack on the Soro community but our gallant men with the support of military operatives repelled the attack.

“But the bandits out of frustration set some houses on fire as a result of which three of the residents lost their lives while few others sustained various degrees of injuries.

“There were reprisal attacks but our men were able to calm the situation after the Police Commissioner, Ali Kaigama sat with leaders of the two communities.

“The commissioner left four patrol vehicles behind to maintain law and order in the communities,” he said.

Bandits invade Sokoto communities kill 3, abduct many others

(DailyTrust)