Residents desert communities as bandits kill 4 in Sokoto

Suspected bandits have attacked some communities in the eastern part of Sokoto State, killing four persons and rustled several livestock.

Confirming the attacks, the state Commissioner for Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (Rtd), said three persons were killed at Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area while one was killed in a community under Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Daily Trust on Sunday learnt that the attackers invaded Bargaja on Thursday, shooting sporadically, forcing residents to scamper to safety.

Another account said that six persons were shot in the village, but only three died while the remaining three were currently receiving treatment in the hospitals.

A resident of Isa, who identified himself as Surajo, told Daily Trust on Sunday that inhabitants of Bargaja, Tozai, Turba and Danzanke have all relocated to Isa town following series of attacks on their villages.

Another resident who sought anonymity noted that one person was killed on Friday by the bandits at Adamawa village where seven people were reportedly killed last month.

Malam Sanusi Gatawa told Daily Trust on Sunday that their town of Gatawa in Sabon Birni Local Government Area was now flooded with refugees from the neighbouring villages.

The villages include Makera, Dankura, Burkusuma, Kumaro, Garin Tunkiya, Zangon Malam and Asha Banza among others.

However, the commissioner explained that the attacks were made by the splinter groups of those gangs that already embraced peace with the government.

He explained that most of the people killed were either members of the vigilante group or those whose animals were rustled and decided to pursue the bandits.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Sunusi Abubakar, promised to get all the information about the attacks and get back to our reporter which was not fulfilled as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Command has confirmed the abduction of PDP chairman in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of the state.