Bandits have reportedly killed many residents and abducted
over 50 others during attacks on communities in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni
LGAs of Sokoto state.
Speaking with TheCable, Lukman Iliyasu, a resident of Sabon
Birni, said the attacks took place between Monday and Wednesday.
Iliyasu said the bandits invaded the communities in large
numbers, shooting sporadically, and causing many residents to sustain various
degrees of injuries.
“The attack started from Monday to Wednesday. The affected
villages are in Goronyo, Gada and Sabon Birni LGAs,” he said.
“The villages that
were attacked yesterday in Sabon Birni are Dan Gari where seven people were
killed and dozens were kidnapped, in Kurawa two people were killed and several
others were abducted, then Gumozo village, three residents were killed and many
others were kidnapped.
“They were about to invade Gatawa village when security
operatives engaged them and I learned that a number of the bandits were killed
in the process.
“The bandits killed many people and took away more than 50
people from some villages. You know how they operate, they invaded different
communities on separate days. They have been attacking Sabon Birni for a long
time now. They even imposed a compulsory peace levy on our communities.
“This is the second year we have been placed on a compulsory
peace payment. They said they will not allow our farmers to go to farms and
cultivate or harvest food produce.
“Last year, they imposed N3 million on Sabon Birni due to
our large population but we could only pay N1.5 million. This year, we were
asked to pay N2 million because of the reduction in population as many people
have been killed and several others have been displaced but we only paid N1
million to them.”
‘WOMEN, CHILDREN ABDUCTED’
Kabir Dauda, lawmaker representing Gada East in the Sokoto
house of assembly, in an interview with Vision FM in the state, said among the
50 persons abducted are women and children, adding that they are still in
captivity.
Dauda said the bandits have demanded N5 million for the release
of one person.
“Two months ago, the security situation reduced but
currently, the situation is more heightened than it used to be,” he added.
“Currently, we have over 50 residents that are being held
captive by the bandits. In the process of the attack, some people sustained
gunshot Injuries.
“Some of the injured persons are in a specialist hospital,
some are in Goronyo, while others are in Gada.
“Those are some of
the villages they invaded. The incidents all occurred within one week. They
kept coming every day for three consecutive days. All these happened last week.
“They invaded Basana, they killed some people and abducted
some, they also attacked Tsitse, Balakozo, they took children and several
others, they invaded Karangiya and abducted three people and also shot several
others. They also attacked Garin Hashimu, killed some residents and also went
away with many people.
“Altogether, the
people they abducted that I can confirm are 50 persons taken from different
villages.
“Currently, many residents including women and children, are
with the bandits. We don’t have enough security operatives to help the
residents because the issue is still prevailing.”
The lawmaker called on relevant authorities to deploy more
security operatives to the communities, saying “nothing has been done to
protect these people”.
Efforts to reach Sanusi Abubakar, police spokesperson in
Sokoto, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or
messages.
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