Bandits kill 16 in fresh Sokoto

The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the killing of 16 persons in another attack by bandits on Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal confirmed this today in a state broadcast.

He said the attack occurred in Dalijan, Rakkoni and Kalhu communities Monday night. He commiserated with the people of the local government area on the loss.

He said: “I pray Allah (SWT) to forgive them and grant us the fortitude to bear the loss.

“This sad development once again makes it necessary to call on our Security personnel to rededicate themselves to their more critical duty of defending the lives and property of our people.”

The governor said the security personnel should avoid being distracted from their constitutional role by “unscrupulous politicians who seek power at the cost of the lives of the people”.

This came a month and some days after 26 persons were killed in three communities of Gandi district in the same local government area.

The communities included Warwanna, Kursa and Dutse in Gandi district. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abubakar Sadiq Muhammad, said those killed were members of the vigilante group.

He said the vigilantes had mobilised at around 11am to trace the bandits along the Dalijan forest but were caught up a fire exchange.

He said the command was leaving no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to book.