No fewer than 39 locals have been reportedly killed, 37 kidnapped, as 19 communities have been displaced after bandits’ attacked communities in Shagari local government area of Sokoto State.

 

According to some residents of Sabon Birni on Tuesday, villagers were worried over the repeated bandits‘ attacks in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, pointing out that the Federal Government and northern political leaders have not done anything to secure lives and property in the axis.

 

According to a villager, Usman Nagogo, the latest attack, lasted six hours, from 9:00 pm on Monday to 3:00 am on Tuesday, saying that 39 villagers were killed in the operation while 37 were abducted, and 19 communities displaced.

 

Speaking to newsmen on telephone, Nagogo stated that the bandits’operation forced many of the villagers to escape the bandit attack but were drowned.

 

Another villager, Muhammad Abubakar, a local canoe operator, said that the overloaded boats capsized, with over 25 people, mostly women and children.

 

” Though seven people were rescued, while 18 others were drowned. Many families have continue to search for their missing relatives,” he added.

 

According to him, even though security operatives were informed about the attack, but no reinforcement arrived, saying that many fled to Sokoto metropolis as the village was completely deserted.

 

“We relocated to Sokoto because we had never experienced a terror attack like what happened on Monday night. About 40 of us escaped here, and everyone is now staying with relatives”

 

He said that those confirmed killed during the bandits’ attack included Kabiru Mallam Tanimu, Ayuba Mallam Hashim and Yakubu Muazu and many others have been declared missing.

 

The attack also forced residents from 19 surrounding villages to flee, stressing that the affected communities include Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Muazu, Arawa, Kuru, Zangon Mallam, Mai Hurde, Zugun, Gidan Na Birni, Mashaya and Marina.

 

“The displaced residents have called on the federal and Sokoto State governments to urgently deploy additional security operatives and provide APCs to enable operatives to reclaim the area.

 

When contacted on phone, the chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the incidents, but said he could not verify the casualty figures that arose from the attack and the boat incident.

 

He said that accessing the village is not all that easy for now.

 

“The incidents indeed happened, but I was not there myself. Therefore, I have to verify the figures before I can confirm them,” he said

 

“Government is to ensure that citizens are protected against this kind of violent attack and senseless killing,” he said.