Bandits Attack Sokoto Travellers, Kill 18 Persons

A file photo of three armed men.

Bandits have attacked a vehicle conveying passengers from Sabon Birni Local Government to Isa Local Government Area in the Eastern Senatorial District of Sokoto State, killing at least 18 persons.

Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sanusi Abubakar who confirmed the incident to Channels Television via a statement on Tuesday, said the attack occurred on December 5.

Although the police spokesman did not specify the casualty figures, he said that the attacked vehicle was conveying 24 passengers before the assailants set it ablaze.

While noting that only seven persons escaped and were admitted at a healthcare facility in the area, Abubakar noted that one however died.

According to him, six persons are currently being attended to at an undisclosed medical facility while the remaining passengers were burnt beyond recognition, making the identification of the victims very difficult.

The victims were said to be local migrant traders heading to the Kaduna village market in Gadan Gayan.

Sokoto State, just like other states in the North-West region has been ravaged by banditry of recent, which has led to the loss of several lives and properties.

As part of measures to contain the situation, the state government shut down telecommunication services in some selected local governments, perceived to be the worst hit by the bandits.