Bandits kill village head, 19 vigilante members in Sokoto

Bandits have killed the village head of Magira in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Malam Umaru Sanda.

Gunmen also invaded Yartsakuwa village of Rabah Local Government Area, Sokoto State, hacking down 19 members of a vigilance group.

The vigilantes were reportedly killed while trying to repel an attack on the community.

The assailants reportedly attacked Magira village in the early hours of Tuesday and killed the village head.

A counsellor representing Ghandi A, Aminu Mu’azu Ghandi, said 14 of the killed vigilantes were from Ghandi while the remaining five were from other communities under Ghandi district.

He said another five persons who were seriously injured were currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Sokoto State, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, who also confirmed the attack, said only 10 vigilantes were killed.

According to him, the bandits wanted to invade Yartsakuwa village but were repelled by the police.

He said that apart from the vigilantes, no single resident of the community was killed.

He advised vigilantes to always wait for the police before responding to any attack.

The bandits also attacked Garin Idi around 1am on Tuesday where a 16-year-old girl, Naja’atu, was abducted, shortly after leaving Magira village.

The girl who was later released had been reunited with her parents.

The bandits were also said to have kidnapped two persons at the neighbouring village of Rambadawa.

A source said the marauders had around 8am on Monday blocked Shinkafi-Sabon Birni road and robbed cattle traders of N12m.

The Special Adviser to the Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area on Security, Lamiru Umar, confirmed all the incidents.

He said the traders were on their way to a village market at Yarbulutu in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

According to him, one of the traders was shot dead by the bandits.