Witness: Bandits who attacked Sokoto pilgrims gunned down six policemen

Six mobile policemen who engaged bandits during an attack on the convoy of intending pilgrims in Sokoto paid the ultimate price.

It was reported that the pilgrims were heading for Sokoto ahead of the take off to the Holy Land of Mecca for pilgrimage were attacked along Gundumi forest.

It was gathered that all the intending pilgrims were brought back to the Palace of the Sarkin Gobir Isa unhurt.

But a resident of Isa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said six policemen were gunned down by the terrorists.

“The bandits ambushed the convoy which was led by armed mobile policemen. The officers in front engaged the bandits and that was what made it possible for the pilgrims to escape as their vehicles turned back to Isa,” the source said.

It was also gathered that the situation forced the State Pilgrims Welfare Board to reschedule their flight to Wednesday as they were originally billed to take off by 7:30 am on Tuesday.

It was further confirmed that the intending pilgrims were already in Sokoto, awaiting their flight.

The Media Aide to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Muhammad Bello, who confirmed the attack in a press statement, said the pilgrims were received by Government officials in the state capital.

When contacted the acting Public Relation Officer of the State, Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was not officially briefed about the death of his colleagues in the incident but a police source told Daily Trust that the officers were killed.  (Daily Trust)