From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
Suspected bandits have killed five people, injured three others and abducted an unspecified number of residents of Girkau town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Reliable local sources said the bandits unleashed mayhem on Girkau town and its environs on Thursday evening.
The sources added that the gunmen were still hiding in parts of the area and were heavily armed.
It was also learnt that the attack occurred amid a reported N40 million levy imposed on communities in Kebbe to forestall an imminent attack reportedly scheduled for Friday.
The Spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, saying a joint police and Army operation was ongoing in the area to contain the threat.
“Yes, it is true that the bandits have struck in the area. There is already an ongoing operation by the combined security forces to rout out the bandits from the area and free the abductees,” he said.
Rufai added: “There is, however, no fatality on the side of the security forces, while I cannot immediately confirm whether any of the bandits have been neutralised.
“The security forces are, however, doing their best to restore normalcy to the area, other parts of Kebbe LGA and the generality of Sokoto State.”
Also confirming the development, the Spokesperson of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, said troops had been deployed to Kebbe town.
“So, if you see the deployment of additional troops and military assets in the area, it is just to reinforce the operation,” Osoba told our correspondent in another telephone interview on Friday.
The latest attack adds to growing security concerns in Sokoto’s eastern senatorial district, where banditry, kidnapping and the imposition of levies on communities have become increasingly frequent.
Residents have called on the Federal and Sokoto State governments to intensify security operations to protect lives and property and ensure the safe rescue of those abducted.