Sokoto Attack: Gov Tambuwal Laments Rising Death Toll

Share
  • 45 corpses buried so far still counting

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal is an unhappy and devastated man having to face the rising death toll from the violent attacks on Illela and Goronyo Local Government Areas of the State.

The numbers of lives so far lost in the deadly incidents that occurred on Sunday and Monday have now been officially put at 45 but still counting.

Governor Tambuwal was briefed about the gravity of the attacks during a visit to the affected areas on Wednesday as  against an initial report that said at least 15 people were killed during the unfortunate incidents.

On Thursday morning, Governor Tambuwal’s spokesperson, Muhammad Bello, confirmed to BBC Hausa Service that residents of the affected areas had informed the governor during his visit that they have already buried 45 corpses as a result of the attacks.

Also admitting that dozens others were injured during the attacks, including a village head, Bello said the some of the victims are currently receiving treatment at health facilities and in their various homes.

The media aide, who disclosed that the marauding gunmen raided Illela town as well as seven surrounding villages in the suburbs, said Governor Tambuwal has condemned the activities of illegal vigilante groups in the areas, warning that the government will no longer tolerate their lawlessness in the State.

He said the governor was however, gull of praises for the security agencies and registered volunteer groups complimenting the security forces’ efforts at checking the bandits’ activities and restoring peace within the affected areas.

Goronyo and Illela are among council areas where the state government has shut down telecommunications networks and banned weekly markets to curb the activities of bandits.

However, in recent times, reprisal attacks involving bandits and vigilante groups seem to have intensified in Sokoto state

Unconfirmed reports indicate that bandits may have effectively established administrative structures in many rural communities within the state, even to the point of imposing taxes on villagers and other residents.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killings in Sokoto State as unwarranted attacks on innocent citizens.

The President, who spoke from South Africa through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said, “this needless and mindless violence against innocent people cannot go unpunished.”

Mallam Garba quoted the president as also sympathising with victims of the attacks and urging the security agencies to redouble their efforts at fighting crime and criminality in the country.

The President said; “This persistent and unprovoked violence against unarmed civilians must be met with fierce response by the government.

“Let me once again, reassure Nigerians, that this administration will not abandon them to their fate in the face of this existential challenge caused by banditry.”

The presidential statement further said; “We are taking delivery of military equipment to improve the capacity of our security forces to effectively deal with this issue.

“Our military is also deploying advanced technology to enhance surveillance and related operations to locate and crush these criminals and enemies of our common humanity.”

“This administration will not tolerate this state of affairs where criminals deprive the people of their means of livelihood and turn them into beggars and refugees.

“The bandits are living in a fool’s paradise if they believe that they can’t be crushed. The criminals cannot be lucky always; they will ultimately meet their Waterloo.

“Evil cannot triumph over good no matter how long it takes,” President Buhari assured in the statement. – With Premium Times report

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply