Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the killing of six people after a bloody confrontation between the vigilantes and suspected Fulani bandits at Gada weekly market.
The command’s public relations officer, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, who confirmed the bloody incident in Gada town said, the Police were still investigating the matter.
“I can confirm to you that we recover six bodies killed by the vigilantes left unattended on the market day on Thursday in Gada town,” he said.
Efforts to reach the sole administrator of the area, Honourable Altine Kyadawa, proved abortive as his phone was said to be switched off despite several attempts by our correspondent to call him.
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 but the move was resisted by the Fulani 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 at the scene, more than six people were said to have been killed while others escaped with bullet wounds.
The vigilantes in the area, provoked by the killing of their leader, went on reprisal attacks on Fulani communities in the area where over 50 people were alleged to have been dislodged by the rampaging group.
“As I speak to you now, I and my family are in hiding to avoid anticipated reprisal attack by the suspected bandits.
“There is tension in Gada town as suspected Fulanis vowed to attack the town to avenge the killings of their members.
“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 eye witness said.
Also confirming the bloody confrontation, a legislator in the State Assembly representing the area, Honourable Kabiru Gada 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 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.
“People are still counting and consoling families of victims who were injured or lost their lives during the unfortunate confrontation between the two longtime neighbours.
“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.”
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