Three Policemen, Others Killed As Gunmen Invade Sokoto Community

At least three officers of the Nigeria Police Force were reportedly killed on Monday when gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed a community in Sokoto State.

Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that the terror group invaded the Yarbulutu village market in the Sabon Birni local government area of the state yesterday and began shooting sporadically at traders.

It was gathered that the gunmen entered the community riding on bikes around 2:30 PM.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of defence Salihi Magashi were reportedly in Sokoto attending the 2022 COAS annual conference when the attack happened.

A source who spoke with Vanguard said many traders left their businesses and scampered for their lives.

The policemen at a nearby checkpoint rushed to the scene and engaged the gunmen which resulted in the killing of three policemen and the setting ablaze of two operational vehicles.

The Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Sanusi Abubakar, confirmed the incident to newsmen when contacted. He told the media that the command received the report and they are hunting down the attackers to face justice.

A resident who reportedly witnessed the attack lamented the incessant attack by gunmen in the area without much resistance from security operatives.

He said Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas in the eastern part of Sokoto have for long been held to ransom by bandits and kidnappers operating in Zamfara and part of Sokoto state.

“I am certain these gunmen were from Zamfara state and now relocated to our area as the area shares boarder with the state in the east”, the resident told reporters.