8 killed as bandits, vigilante battle in Sokoto – Police

Sokoto State Police Command on Monday confirmed eight deaths in a clash that ensued between armed bandits and local vigilante members in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, TOPNAIJA.NG can confirm.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Cordelia Nwawe, told newsmen that at least eight persons were feared dead during the fracas, including an elderly person who the bandits went to kidnap.

Nwawe said investigation was still ongoing, adding that the bandits were said to have come from neighbouring communities in Zamfara.

She said, “The state Commissioner of Police had visited the village to condoled with the families of the victims of the attack.”

She assured of police determination and commitment to fish out the perpetrators and to protect the community against future attack.

However, report indicated that 13 people were killed as a result of the clash following a failed attempt by the bandits to kidnap an elderly man at Dan Tasango village in Gebe district on Saturday.

According to an eye witness, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the bandits killed seven members of the group and lost five members during the battle.

“It is true that they (bandits) lost five of their men but they quickly evacuated their corpses which have been their usual trend because they don’t want to leave any trace,” the eye witness told newsmen.

A Security personnel, who pleaded anonymity, advised governments of the two states to form a formidable task force, comprising all security agencies and give them all necessary support to confront the bandits in their suspected hideouts.

“This is the only way we can tackle security challenges in these states because their hideouts are known,” he said.