No fewer than 22 persons have been killed by suspected bandits that attacked a market at Ungwan Lalle in Sabon Birni Local Government Area in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State.
Several other persons were also injured in the attack, which occurred on Friday.
Those that sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Sabon Birni while others with life-threatening injuries were referred to the state capital for proper medical care.
The Special Assistant to the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Idris Gobir, and a former Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA, Mr. Abdullahi Tsamaye confirmed the attack to journalists on Saturday evening.
Tsamaye said the assailant came in large numbers into the market and started shooting sporadically aiming at anybody in sight.
He said in the process, the gunmen killed over 22 persons and burnt down vehicles, and destroyed several other properties.
Also confirming the attack the Special Assistant to the Minister for Police Affairs, Gobir, said about 22 people died in the attack.
According to him, the victims include traders from Sokoto town who were in the village for business transactions.
Gobir further said about 35 people are currently in various hospitals receiving treatment for the injuries sustained during the attack.
Meanwhile, efforts to get the reaction of the Sokoto State Police Command were not successful as the Command spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sanusi, could not be reached at the time of filling this report.
It has been recalled that Sabon Birni in the Eastern Senatorial district of the state is an epicentre of banditry.
In a related development, troops of Sector 5 of Exercise Golden Dawn deployed in Enugu State have killed three gunmen who attacked a Nigerian Police checkpoint along Okija-Onitsha Expressway on October 7, 2021.
An Army statement said troops engaged and overwhelmed the gunmen with superior firepower, forcing them to flee the scene. Troops however gave them a hot pursuit and engaged the gunmen in a gun duel.
The three gunmen, who drove in two vehicles – a Hilux and Hummer bus, eventually succumbed to the troops’ effective firepower, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Troops also recovered one vehicle and two motorcycles, while conducting further exploitation of the general area for the fleeing terrorists.
“Unfortunately, a soldier paid the supreme price, in the line of duty, for his country”, it said.
It said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya has commended the troops for the feat and urged them to sustain the momentum against all criminal elements operating in the region.
The COAS also sympathised with the family of the fallen hero and prays for the repose of his soul.
Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
Follow us on:
