Bandits strike again in Sokoto, resident burnt alive, policemen missing

Two days after killing security operatives at a military formation in Sokoto, bandits have launched a fresh attack in the state.

A resident was burnt alive while many policemen remain unaccounted for in the attack which occurred in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday.

It was in Sabon Birnin that the bandits gunned down at least 17 security personnel earlier in the week.

It was gathered that 27 persons, including women and children, were abducted from Gatawa, a community in Sabo Birni.

Confirming the incident, the member representing Sabon Birni East constituency at the state House of Assembly, Sa’idu Ibrahim, said the bandits were now targeting security formations in the area.

“They are now looking for where security operatives are stationed because their morale was boosted by their recent attack on a military formation at Dama where many soldiers, policemen and Civil Defence officers were killed.

“So they are now attacking places where they know military, police or other paramilitary camped. They shot two persons, including a woman and burnt three others who hid in a grain store; one of them died instantly while the other two are receiving treatment in the hospital,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, they invaded Gatawa because of the presence of “Operation Puff Ader” camp in the area.

“As I am talking to you now, many policemen are still missing. We don’t know whether they were abducted or ran away,” he said.

(Daily Trust)