A devastating attack by bandits on three communities in the Tangaza local government area of Sokoto state has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 37 individuals, with many more injured. The affected communities include Raka, Raka Dutse, and Filin Gawa.
Eyewitnesses recount that the bandit attack took place on Saturday evening. The immediate past chairman of the area, Bashar Kalenjeni, confirmed the fatal incidents, reporting that 18 people were killed in Raka, 17 in Filin Gawa, and two in Raka Dutse.
“We wanted to bury them in the night, but the bandits came back and dispersed us. As of this morning, the deceased are still there unburied,” revealed Kalenjeni.
According to the former chairman, the villagers’ “crime” was their refusal to comply with the levies imposed on their communities by the bandits. These levies, which were to be enforced immediately, even included stipulations about the villagers’ actions.
“The villagers refused to succumb, and because of that, the bandits attacked them, killing 37 persons, while several others sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries and are currently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Gwadabawa. There are others who are still unaccounted for,” disclosed Kalenjeni. He added, “Right now, we are waiting for security operatives to lead us to the villages in order to bury the dead ones.”
However, the Sokoto State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, denied having any knowledge of these violent attacks.
