In two separate assaults near the Niger border, heavily armed bandits murdered 15 citizens, according to the governor of Sokoto state in northwest Nigeria.
For years, bandits, or criminal gangs, have terrorized northwest and central Nigeria, attacking and plundering towns, but attacks have increased in frequency in recent months.
Hundreds of gunmen stormed the Illela and Goronyo communities in Sokoto late Sunday, killing 15 people, according to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“We lost 12 people in Illela… and three in Goronyo owing to banditry attacks that were carried out last night through this morning,” Tambuwal told legislators in parliament that he will be submitting the budget for the next year.
Read Also: Anambra APC ‘suspended’ publicity secretary for congratulating Soludo
Nigerian forces have been launching ground and air offensives against bandit camps in Zamfara state, the epicentre of the conflict, since September.
Telecom services were shut down in Zamfara and portions of Kaduna to disrupt gang communication. Bandits escaping military operations in Zamfara have established camps along the Niger border, especially in Sokoto, from where they launch assaults on villages.
Last month, bandits opened fire on a market in Goronyo, killing 43 people. The incident occurred only days after 19 people were slain at a market in Sabon Birni town, where 17 Nigerian soldiers had been killed the month before.
Gangs have increasingly resorted to mass school kidnappings for ransom, according to UNICEF, with 1,400 children abducted this year.
Read Also: Bauchi govt to receive N30bn collateral from World Bank to tackle flood
Despite the fact that the majority of the children were released following negotiations, the UN agency warned in September that more than 200 children were still missing.
Join Television Nigerian Whatsapp Now
Join Television Nigerian Facebook Now
Join Television Nigerian Twitter Now
Join Television Nigerian YouTUbe Now
