Bandits Kill 4, Abduct others in Sokoto

Bandits have attacked Gorau community in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing four people and abducting four others, barely six days after a boat mishap claimed 65 lives in the community.

The attackers, who invaded the community around 9pm on Wednesday, also shot seven residents, leaving them injured and currently receiving treatment in hospital.

The bandits reportedly targeted families who received the N1 million relief donation announced by the Sokoto State Government for each family of victims of the boat disaster.

Confirming the attack, the village head of Gorau, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami, said the assailants went from house to house searching for the relief money.

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He said the attackers broke into virtually every room in his residence, demanding to know where the N1 million donated to the families was kept.

“They shot 11 persons. Four died instantly, while the remaining seven were evacuated to the hospital for treatment. They also abducted four others.

“They came because of the money donated to the families of the victims of the recent boat mishap in our community, which claimed the lives of 65 persons,” he said.

According to the traditional ruler, the four victims killed in the attack were identified as Bashar Sani, Ila Malam Makeri, Isa Ibrahim and Ali Aminu.

He said the casualty figure could have been higher but for the swift intervention of security operatives.

“We thank the security operatives for their swift response. They came in four vehicles and pursued the bandits,” he said.

The attack came less than a week after the boat carrying residents of Gorau capsized, killing 65 people, many of them children, mostly girls.

Following the tragedy, the state government announced a N1 million donation to each family of the victims, alongside the distribution of grains as part of relief measures.

The latest attack has, however, raised concerns over the vulnerability of the bereaved families and the security of the relief assistance provided to them.