Musa Na Allah Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the killing of six people after a bloody confrontation between the vigilantes and suspected Fulani bandits on Thursday in Gada weekly Market.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ahmed Rufa’i, confirmed the bloody incident on market day in Gada town; he said the Police were still investigating.
“I can confirm to you that, we recover 6 Bodies suspected to be of Fulanis killed by the Vigilantes left unattended on the Market day on Thursday in Gada town.”
The incident according to eyewitnesses 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 move was resisted by the Fulanis group around the market.
The suspected bandits at the height of the crisis shot and killed the Vigilantes leader which sparked reprisal by members of the Vigilantes.
He said before the arrival of the police team to the Market more than six people were said to have been killed some with bullet wounds from gunshots while running for cover to save their lives.
According to eye witnesses, after the killing of the vigilante leader and his deputy who immediately succeeded him, was also shot and killed at Gidan Jawo village by the suspected Fulanis.
The Vigilantes in the area being provoked by the killing of their two leaders went on reprisal Attacks on Fulani communities in the area where over 50 people were alleged to have been summarily executed by the rampaging group.
“As speak to you now, I and my family were in hiding to avoid anticipated another reprisal attack by the suspected bandits.
“There is tension in Gada town, as suspected Fulanis vow to attack the town to avenge the killings of their members, we know they can do that.
“Today is Kiri village market day, but you cannot spot a single Fulani male or female in the market area,” it’s a market which is hitherto full of Fulanis, but the recent development forced many of them to flee from the area.
“The attack launched by the Vigilantes in many Fulani communities in Gada local government area on Thursday saw the killing of many Fulanis in the area,” the eye witness said.
Also confirming the bloody confrontation and its genesis, Hon Kabiru Gada a legislator in the State Assembly representing the Area said the incident occurred when a suspected bandits leader was said to have been seen in the Gada market making purchases and some vigilante leaders identified him and demanded his arrest and interrogation which he later resisted and instantly shot and matchet the Vigilantes leader of Gidan Hashimu village to death which prompted reprisal against the Fulanis from members of the vigilantes.
“The report at my disposal shows that many people were killed some with injuries sustained from Gun shots fired by both sides some Fulanis and Vigilantes lost their lives.”
“People are still counting and consoling families of victims who were injured or lost their lives during the unfortunate confrontation between the two longtime neighbors.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that many lives were lost on the fateful day, but as for reprisal, I have not gotten any report yet. I am still trying to make inquiries. I was informed about the Thursday market incident that occurred between the Fulanis and the vigilante group at Gada Central Market.
“As I am talking to you, I am on my way to the area to ascertain the level of casualties and as well console families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate clash,” the legislator said.
Efforts to reach the sole administrator of the area Hon Altine Kyadawa prove impossible as his phone was switched off despite several calls put to the line by our Correspondent.
