BANDITS have killed the Village Head of Kulodo in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Tudu, his eldest son, Abubakar Abubakar, and four other residents in a fresh attack that has further heightened fears over the worsening security situation in the state.
News Point Nigeria reports that the deadly assault, which also claimed the life of another resident in neighbouring Kwamtsi (also reported as Kwance) village, triggered outrage among residents, with scores of youths blocking the busy Sokoto-Jega Highway on Friday in protest against the persistent attacks ravaging communities in Bodinga Local Government Area.
The attack occurred on Thursday evening while residents were observing the Asr prayer.
A security source told our correspondent that the bandits stormed Kulodo and neighbouring Kwamtsi villages in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately as they invaded the communities.
According to the source, those killed in Kulodo included the village head, his eldest son, Rufa’i Bala, Muhammad Sanusi and Aliyu Dan-Uti, while Yellow Dikko was killed in neighbouring Kwamtsi village.
“The bandits invaded the communities in large numbers and immediately began shooting.
“They killed the village head, his eldest son and four other residents before moving to the neighbouring village, where they also killed another person,” the source said.
Residents disclosed that about 150 heavily armed bandits, riding motorcycles with two to three gunmen on each bike, participated in the coordinated attack.
According to one resident, the attackers surrounded the villages before moving from house to house and shop to shop while shooting indiscriminately.
“They surrounded our villages, shooting indiscriminately before moving from house to house and shop to shop. They rustled more than 200 livestock and looted shops and homes,” the resident said.
The source added that although the attackers did not abduct residents during the initial raid, they rustled a large number of livestock.
“They were mainly after animals. They forced local herders to drive the stolen cattle while they escorted them on motorcycles.
“The herders later told us the livestock were taken to a forest in Zamfara State before they were released to return home,” the source added.
However, residents later disclosed that four persons were abducted during the attack, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, most of those killed were shot inside their homes while attempting to hide from the attackers.
The Village Head of Kulodo and his eldest son were reportedly shot dead at the entrance to their residence while trying to escape.
Residents described the late traditional ruler as a respected community leader who devoted his life to serving the people, while his eldest son was also widely known for supporting members of the community.
Another elderly resident alleged that the attackers looted cash, mobile phones and other valuables from several households.
He claimed that one resident, identified as Alhaji Shehu, lost more than N1 million in cash as well as over 40 cattle during the attack.
“They went from house to house and from room to room, taking away anything of value. They spared almost nothing,” the resident lamented.
The attack forced women and children to flee both communities, leaving behind only a handful of men.
“We have just returned from the villages after accompanying some state government officials and lawmakers on a condolence visit.
“The situation is devastating. Virtually all the women and children have fled, leaving behind only a few men,” another source said.
Residents further disclosed that the bodies of those killed could not be evacuated until late Friday evening because of fears that the attackers were still lurking around the affected communities.
It was only after security personnel and senior government officials arrived that the bodies were recovered and taken away for burial.
A Nigeria Red Cross official, Ahmad Suleiman, who participated in the evacuation of the bodies and funeral arrangements, confirmed that volunteers worked alongside security agencies and community members to ensure the victims were buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Following the burial, the Red Cross official was seen in a video obtained by Daily Trust speaking with grieving residents, many of whom described the attack as devastating and deeply traumatic.
The Village Head of Kulodo, his eldest son and four other victims were subsequently buried after Islamic funeral prayers.
Before the burial in Kulodo, another victim killed during the attacks had earlier been laid to rest at the palace of the District Head of Bodinga.
Residents commended the visit by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; the member representing Bodinga, Dange Shuni and Tureta Federal Constituency, Nasiru Shehu Bobo; the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; the Chairman of Bodinga Local Government Area; the Commissioner of Police, represented by the Area Commander of the Bodinga Area Command; military personnel, Department of State Services operatives and other officials who supervised the evacuation of the bodies and ensured the victims received proper Islamic burial rites.
The latest attack came barely 24 hours after bandits reportedly killed the Chief Imam of Talluje village and two other residents in another assault in Bodinga Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the deteriorating security situation across the area.
The killings sparked widespread anger among residents, with scores of youths staging a protest on Friday by blocking the busy Sokoto-Jega Highway.
The protesters converged on the highway early in the morning, lit bonfires and disrupted vehicular movement for several hours before they were dispersed by a combined team of security operatives.
The protest followed renewed attacks on communities in the area, which have displaced large numbers of residents who are now taking refuge in Bodinga town.
A resident told our correspondent that the demonstration began at about 8:00 a.m., shortly after a heavy downpour, and continued for several hours.
According to the source, the protesters prevented the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, from passing through the road and allegedly smashed the windscreen of his official vehicle.
“The protest started around 8:00 a.m. shortly after the rain. The youths blocked the highway and prevented the Speaker from passing. They also smashed the glass of his vehicle before security operatives dispersed them,” the source said.
Another resident, Alhaji Abubakar Bodinga, confirmed the protest, saying calm had since returned following the deployment of security personnel to the area.
He explained that the Speaker, the Secretary to the State Government and other government officials were on their way to one of the affected communities to sympathise with victims of the attacks.
“As I speak, normalcy has returned. Security operatives have been deployed, while the Speaker, the Secretary to the State Government and other officials are in one of the affected villages to console the victims,” he said.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls placed to his mobile telephone line.