Six killed, scores abducted in Sokoto Sallah day attack

No fewer than six persons have been reportedly killed with more than 100 persons also abducted as suspected gunmen attacked a community in Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday.

The police in Sokoto, through their spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the killing of over six persons and abduction of scores of residents at Tudun Doki,  Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto.

Rufai said though information about the attack was still sketchy, six people were confirmed killed.

According to him,  the Divisional Police Officer attached to Gwadabawa led a team of policemen to the community to assess the situation and restore normalcy.

“Six dead bodies were recovered by a search team and effort is still ongoing to recover other missing persons,” the police spokesman said.

According to villagers, the assailants, numbering about seven, attacked the community around 1.30 am armed with sophisticated firearms. They shot at anybody on sight and abducted many members of the community.

Gwadabawa, one of the local governments in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State, had been peaceful until the Sunday morning attack.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch continued the raid and clearance patrols in Kaduna State as they killed three bandits on the Gonna Rogo-Eka axis of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The According reports that the troops, on June 14, killed 36 bandits, including Buhari Alhaji Halidu, otherwise known as “Buharin Yadi,” one of the deadliest bandit leaders terrorising the North.

Following the killings, residents of Kaduna-Katsina border communities went into wild jubilation.

In the latest raid, the commissioner said, “Troops conducting clearance patrols neutralised three bandits along the Gonna Rogo-Eka axis of Kajuru LGA.”

He added that two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered after a fierce battle with the bandits.

“According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops conducted special clearance patrols in the area and made contact with bandits. After an exchange of fire, three of the criminals were summarily neutralised.

“The troops scoured the immediate vicinity and recovered two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.”

Governor Uba Sani, speaking on the development, thanked the security forces and commended the troops, under the command of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. M.L.D Saraso, for intensifying efforts to ensure a peaceful Eid celebration for citizens.

“The troops will continue special fighting patrols within the general area and other locations of interest,” the statement added.