Bandits have set ablaze 42 passengers travelling from Sabon Birni Local Government Area to Sokoto State on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the incident happened around 9 am in Gidan Bawa village where the terrorists blocked the road and set ablaze the vehicle.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Sanusi Abubakar stated that about 17 persons were killed while 7 was killed.
Sanusi who responded to a text message sent to him on the development said, “The vehicle is carrying 24 passengers out of which 7 victims were admitted and an unidentified number of burnt dead bodies”.
Sources from Sabon Birni local government however insisted that the number of those burnt in the vehicle could be higher than what the police confirmed, as a particular family lost ten members to the incident.
One of the sources, Danchadi, who is a former local government chairman, told our reporter that the incident was really heartbreaking.
According to him, they are still trying to ascertain the exact number of casualties, adding that the figure might be very scary.
A relative of one of those killed in the attack, who simply gave his name as Garba, said the Turji led faction of bandits had occupied the entire Sokoto East senatorial district.
He said the criminals have imposed leaders in some villages and are collecting tithes, levies and controlling those in such villages as slaves.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement made available to newsmen through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated that security agencies will do their best to put an end to the act of the despicable people.
The statement titled: PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS VICTIMS OF BANDITS IN SOKOTO reads below;
President Buhari has expressed sadness over the recent gruesome attack on innocent travellers in Sokoto State.
Reacting to the incident on Wednesday, President Buhari said, “I am very distressed at the manner of death visited on these hapless citizens who were undertaking a legitimate journey to another part of the country.
“It shows that the evil this administration is confronting is one that requires the support and involvement of all Nigerians.
“I extend deep condolences to the families of the victims as I assure that the security agencies will continue to give their all to bring to an end the operations of these despicable people.”
Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
December 8, 2021
