Banditry: Buhari mourns as Sokoto Govt confirms 23 deaths in travellers’ attack

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, expressed sadness over the recent gruesome attack on innocent travellers in Sokoto State.

This is even as the Sokoto State government has confirmed 23 deaths among travellers attacked by bandits in Isa local government area.

The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the dastardly act by bandits showed that the evil his administration was confronting required the support and involvement of all Nigerians.

Reacting to the incident, President Buhari said: “I am very distressed at the manner of death visited on these hapless citizens who were undertaking a legitimate journey to another part of the country.

“It shows that the evil this administration is confronting is one that requires the support and involvement of all Nigerians.

“I extend deep condolences to the families of the victims as I assure that the security agencies will continue to give their all to bring to an end the operations of these despicable people.”

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State government on Wednesday confirmed 23 deaths among travellers attacked by bandits in Isa local government area.

The confirmation is contained in a statement signed by Gov. Aminu Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Bello said the state government had introduced measures and new strategies to avert future occurrence through increased synergy with security agencies.

”Contrary to speculations that over 40 people lost their lives in a bandits attack on a 42-seater bus traveling to Kaduna on Monday, facts emerged that 23 people lost their lives during an attack at Gidan Bawa village in Isa local government area of Sokoto state,” Bello said.

He explained that Sokoto state Police Commissioner, Mr Kamaludeen Okunola, had briefed Gov. Tambuwal on the incident, noting that the vehicle conveying the travellers was also burnt from the flames started by gun shots.

He added that some among the 23 dead persons were burnt, while six had injuries and victims were receiving treatment at a hospital.

Bello said security operatives were mobilised to the scene of the attack and immediately mounted a patrol which was still ongoing on the 30 kilometers stretch of road between Gidan Bawa in Sokoto state and Shinkafi town in Zamfara.

The Governor’s spokesman said Tambuwal had condoled the people of the area over the incident and prayed for the souls of the deceased as well as wished the injured ones quick recovery.