Suspected bandits on Wednesday unleashed terror on Takakume village of Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing 6 persons, abducted 15 others while many sustained injuries.
The bandits who were said to have stormed the farming settlement on Wednesday midnight, shot sporadically at anything on sight as confirmed by one source from the affected village.
Narrating what transpired in a grief stricken voice, one of the villagers, who preferred not to be mentioned for security sake, said, they were shocked and at a lost if the attackers are real human beings, seeing the degree of brutality meted on them.
In his words, “”Fulani bandits invaded our village of Takakume in Goronyo local government at about 12 midnight that day. They were shooting sporadically at anything in sight.
“After they left, in the morning, we discovered that they have killed 3 persons, wounded 2 and kidnapped 15 others”.
Collaborating the position of the first source, another local, who gave his name as Takakume, said the dead could be higher than 8 and those kidnapped could be more than 30 as they are still searching for their loved ones after the attack.
Giving instance from his own immediate family, Takakume said, “3 women and my cousin, Sa’adu Monitor were among those abducted. These Fulani invaders also killed one of my senior brothers and another nephew, Salisu Ilyasu”‘, he lamented
While calling on the State and Federal Government to do the needful by ensuring protection and security of all citizens before the consistent invasions by the bandits degenerate into full blown tribal clashes, Takakume warned that if that is done, they will be forced to also use sticks and other things to not only protect themselves but also go after there attackers subsequently.
Recalling how the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State has consistently remained operational base of bandits over the years, Takakume decried that, “”Shinaka town of Goronyo Local Government was attacked on Friday last week when people were about to say their Jumu’at prayer.
“‘These bandits had earlier attacked Giyawa, Kojiyo, Ɓijeji, Ƙirare, Ɓare and other towns in Goronyo Local Government, where they killed many, abducted scores and collected ransom before they releasing their victims””.
The locals also appealed to Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu to hasten up the recruitment of Civilian Joint Task Force as the bandits are now becoming more daring in killings, maiming, raping and destruction of lives and property in Sokoto East particularly and the Sokoto State in general.
“Villages of Sokoto East Senatorial Districts are now safe havens for these terrorists fleeing the onslaught on their hideouts in Katsina State and Zamfara States by both security agencies and the CJTF.
“If nothing is done urgently, they will sack all towns and villages in Senatorial District sooner than envisaged”‘. One of the villagers warned.
Efforts to get police confirmation at the time of filing this report proved abortive as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command did not pick his calls nor respond to message regarding the incident.
