Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State
By DAVID IORJA, Abuja –
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described as very disturbing, reports on increasing deadly attacks on some communities in Sokoto by armed bandits.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe on Thursday, the Forum said it was disturbed by “this wanton destruction of life and property of innocent, law abiding citizens in Northern Nigeria.”
Also on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with families who lost loved ones in an attack by bandits in Sabon Birni Local Government, Sokoto State, praying for the quick recovery of those that sustained injuries.
The President announced that the major military operation code named “Operation Accord” which was launched by the military, targeting the bandits that had been tormenting North-West and North Central states would be “a full time and sustained military offensive that is intended to deny the bandits any breathing space to reorganize and regroup.’’
The most recent reports indicate that on Wednesday, the bandits attacked Garki, Kutuma and Kazuri villages under Sabon Birni Local Government.
Other places under attack include Faji, Lanjega, Kadaye, Marakwa and Garin Ahmadu.
According to the reports, over 60 people were killed while others were injured and rushed to the hospital. Hundreds of those who survived are reported to have fled their homes for safety.
“The Forum condoles with those who lost their loved ones, the wounded and those who have been displaced. We also sympathise with the Sokoto government over the loss of her citizens,” Yawe said.
The ACF also called on both the Federal, State governments and security agents to close ranks and come up with adequate security measures to protect the citizenry.
“For quite some time now, Sokoto has remained a relatively peaceful state surrounded by massive killings in Zamfara and Katsina. The federal government must hasten to deploy massive security assistance to Sokoto as it has done to the other states” said the ACF.
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, in a statement, quoted President Buhari to have lamented that while the world and Nigeria were battling Coronavirus pandemic, “it is tragic and unfortunate that bandits have remained active in parts of the country, killing innocent people and throwing families into despair.”
“We will not abandon you to your fate because we are determined to bring these mass murderers to their knees and crush them totally,’’ the President told the affected communities in Sokoto.
President Buhari reassures Nigerians that the government is determined to protect them against “remorseless psychopathic mass killers who have no regard for the sanctity of life.’’