Bloodbath as bandits gun down 37 in Sokoto, disrupt burial
4 June 2023
The Police Command in Sokoto State on Sunday confirmed the death of 30 persons during an attack lunched by group of armed men in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state. Other sources however put the death toll at 37.
A statement issued by ASP Ahmad Rufai, the Acting Spokesman of the command, revealed that the gunmen attacked Raka, Bilingawa, Raka Dutse, Jaba, Dabagi and Tsalewa villages of the LGA on Saturday.
According to Rufai, prior to the attack, some members of a vigilante group had gone to Azam village to warn the Fulani community there.
“However, the vigilante members over reacted and ended up beating some villagers who are predominantly Fulani tribe.
“Consequently the villagers called for assistance, and unfortunately the assistance came from armed men suspected to be bandits on board 20 motorcycles.
“On getting the information that assistance is coming the vigilante members withdrew to their various villages,” he said.
The Police Spokesman added that the armed men immediately went after the vigilante members and killed eight people in Raka, seven in Bilingawa, six in Jaba, four in Dabagi, three in Raka Dutse and two in Tsalewa Villages.
He further said that the attackers set two vehicles ablaze and six huts, while one Bajaj motorcycle believed to be that of the armed men was recovered at the scene.
The Police Spokesman also confirmed another attack on Saturday by suspected bandits on some villages in Gwadabawa LGA, eastern part of Sokoto State.
The immediate past chairman of the area, Bashar Kalenjeni, while confirming the attacks said 18 persons were killed at Raka, 17 at Filin Gawa and two at Raka Dutse.
“We wanted to bury them in the night but the bandits came back and dispersed us. As at this morning, the deceased are still there unburied,” Kalenjeni said.
According to him, the “offence” of the villagers was their refusal to pay levies imposed on their communities.
“The bandits imposed levies on their communities which was meant to take charge with immediate effect, and also dictating to residents on what to and not to do.
“But the villagers refused to succumb and because of that they attacked them, killing 37 persons while several others sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and currently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Gwadabawa.
“There are others who are still unaccounted for,” the former chairman disclosed, adding, “Right now, we are waiting for security operatives to lead us to the villages in order to bury the dead ones.”
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