Six dead, dozens kidnapped in attack on first day in Sokoto Sallah

No fewer than six people were reportedly killed and over 100 others kidnapped in an attack by suspected gunmen on a community in Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday.

Sokoto police, through their spokesman Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the killing of over six people and the abduction of dozens of residents in Tudun Doki in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of ​​Sokoto.

Rufai said that while information about the attack was still sketchy, it was confirmed that six people had been killed.

According to him, the District Police Officer in Charge of Gwadabawa led a team of police officers to the community to assess the situation and restore normality.

“A search team has recovered six bodies and efforts to find other missing persons are ongoing,” the police spokesman said.

According to villagers, the attackers, numbering around seven, attacked the community at around 1:30 a.m., armed with modern firearms. They shot at anyone they could get their hands on and abducted numerous community members.

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

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch continued their raids and clearance patrols in Kaduna State, killing three bandits along Gonna Rogo-Eka axis in Kajuru Local Government Area of ​​Kaduna State.

This was announced by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Sunday.

According to a report by The PUNCH, on June 14, the troops killed 36 bandits, including Buhari Alhaji Halidu, also known as “Buharin Yadi,” one of the deadliest bandit leaders terrorizing the north.

Following the killings, residents of the Kaduna-Katsina border communities erupted in wild celebration.

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

“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 searched the immediate area and seized two AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines and 81 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.”

Governor Uba Sani, speaking on the development, thanked the security forces and commended the troops under the command of the Commanding General of the 1st Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General MLD Saraso, for their intensified efforts to ensure a peaceful Eid celebration for the citizens.

“The troops will continue their special combat patrols in the area and other locations of interest,” the statement added.