At least 14 persons have been killed in attacks across communities in Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto State.
The attackers struck few hours after President Muhammadu Buhari directed the redeployment of more military hardware to the state in order to tackle insecurity.
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A resident of Sabon Birni, who confirmed the attack, said bandits invaded some villages in Unguwan Lalle district, on Tuesday night.
According to him, they killed one Abdullahi Usman at Unguwan Lalle town, nine at Tsangerawa village and four at Tamindawa.
They also opened fire on a commercial vehicle at Gajid village, resulting in the deaths of three persons, including the driver.
Five other passengers, who sustained gunshot injuries, are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
The bandits were also said to have abducted three persons in the village.
The victims were later released after an agreement that the locals would pay N2 million levy within few days.
However, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kamaluddeen Okunlola said eight persons were killed by the attackers.
In an interview with Daily Trust, the Commissioner said, “They attacked some remote villages who are not accessible due to bad road. But by the Grace of God, we are going to get them. We are working on them.
“Even last night, Mr. President directed for more military equipment to Sokoto,” he said
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have confirmed the killing of one of their drivers who was part of the rescue mission in Running Sambo area.
The spokesman of the command, Hamza Adamu Illela, said the officer (name withheld) was not killed by bandits.
“We received a distress call that, some miscreants were attacking one residence in the area and our men quickly responded to the call and in the process, our driver was gunned down,” he said.
