Suspected bandits attack on Bargaja community of Isa local government area of Sokoto State has claimed five lives and abduction of nine persons.
Chairman of Isa local government area, Sharehu Abubakar-Kamarawa, confirmed the attack in a statement he issued, dismissing the allegation that the council failed to act on an earlier intelligence about the movement of the bandits.
He, however, said he had acted swiftly upon receiving an intelligence report by mobilising local vigilante groups and notifying relevant security agencies for immediate response.
The Council Chairman described the online report allegations as a “baseless attempt to malign the image of the chairman and undermine ongoing security efforts” in the area.
He said, “while security personnel were deployed, subsequent intelligence indicated that the bandits diverted through another route outside the initially reported location, which unfortunately led to the tragic incident in Bargaje.”
He disclosed that the local security commander responsible for the area has been sanctioned for negligence and replaced with a more capable officer to improve coordination and response time.
Kamarawa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, noting that the Council has been providing logistics, fuel, and welfare support to both formal and community security formations across Isa.
The Chairman further noted that plans to strengthen Operation Faska Yamma with an air component and recruit additional personnel into the State Neighbourhood Initiative and Sokoto Marshals would enhance surveillance and rapid response across vulnerable areas.
Kamarawa assured residents that Isa LGA will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure that banditry and other violent crimes are curtailed to the barest minimum.
