Six of the mobile policemen that engaged bandits during an attack on the convoy of intending pilgrims in Sokoto have reportedly died in the gun battle.
They were coming to Sokoto from Isa Local Government Area of the state for takeoff to the Holy Land of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for pilgrimage when they were ambushed along Gundumi forest by the bandits.
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It was gathered that all the intending pilgrims were brought back to the palace of the Sarkin Gobir Isa unhurt.
A resident of Isa who spoke on condition of anonymity told Daily Trust that six policemen were gunned down by the bandits and their bodies had been taken to Sokoto.
“The bandits ambushed the convoy, which was led by well-armed mobile policemen.
“The police who were in the front engaged the bandits for some minutes, 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 while the intending pilgrims had already been moved to Sokoto.
Muhammad Bello, the Media Aide to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said the pilgrims had been received by government officials in the state capital and were being processed for their onward journey to the holy land.
When contacted, the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not been briefed about the death of their colleagues in Isa.
He promised to speak at the appropriate time.
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