Over 50 killed as gunmen attack Sokoto Communities

June 5, 2023

By Ahmed Abubakar

Sokoto, Nigeria - Over fifty persons have been reportedly killed as gunmen suspected to be armed bandits attacked two local governments area of Sokoto State, North-west Nigeria on Saturday evening.

The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State command confirming the attack on Sunday said that the bandits attacked Gwadabawa and Tangaza local governments area of the state.

Spokesman of the command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, however assured that the command is on top of the situation.

The Humanitarian Post reports that Sakamaru and Bilingawa villages were attacked in Gwadabawa local government while Raka, Raka Dutse, and Filin Gawa communities were attacked in Tangaza local government.

A commuter in Gwadabawa local government disclosed that the two villages in the local government some months back engaged Fulani herdsmen in a fight in which not less than five of the Fulani herdsmen were killed.

“Some of the bandits were already in the town unknown to residents of the affected communities before others arrived in the evening to strike.

“The operation started after evening prayers where they attack the two villages simultaneously.

“In Bilingawa, not less than 18 people were killed during the attack on Saturday evening.

“Sakamaru was the worst scenario where scores of people were slaughtered and others with gunshot.

“After killing them, they set their corpses and that of their animals on fire by ensuring that most of them were burnt beyond recognition” he said.

No fewer than 37 persons were also allegedly killed while several others injured in attacks on the three communities in Tangaza local government area of the state.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, a former Chairman of the local government, 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”.

He explained that 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.”

The Humanitarian Post