Six killed as bandits, vigilantes clash in Sokoto market

Six persons have lost their lives in a clash between suspected bandits and vigilantes, locally known as Yan Sakai, in the Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident was said to have occurred on Thursday night (April 18, 2024).

The vigilantes, according to a source in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, were said to have avenged the killing of their leader, one Alhaji Dahiru, by a suspected bandit.

The clash was said to have started when a leader of the Gidan Hashimu village vigilantes made a move to arrest and interrogate a notorious cattle rustler seen loitering in the market.

The suspected bandits, at the height of the crisis, reportedly shot and killed the vigilantes’ leader, sparking a reprisal by members of the vigilantes.

One of the eyewitnesses said before the arrival of the police at the market, more than six people had been killed while some sustained wounds from gunshots while running for cover to save their lives.

“The vigilantes in the area, provoked by the killing of their two leaders, went on reprisal on Fulani communities in the area where over 50 people were alleged to have been summarily executed by the rampaging group. As I speak to you now, I and my family are in hiding to avoid another reprisal by the suspected bandits,” the eyewitness said.

Also confirming the incident, a member of the state House of Assembly representing the area, Kabiru Gada, said the suspected bandit leader resisted arrest by the vigilantes and gruesomely killed their leader.

“He later resisted and instantly shot and stabbed the vigilantes’ leader in Gidan Hashimu village to death which prompted reprisal against the Fulani from members of the vigilantes. The report at my disposal shows that many people were killed, some with injuries sustained from gunshots fired by both sides; some Fulani and vigilantes lost their lives,” Gada added.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the state police command, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, said six persons lost their lives during the incident.

 “We are still investigating to unravel the remote cause of the problems and bring those behind it to book,” he added.