Community members in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto state said over thirty five persons have been killed following a raid by marauders suspected to armed bandits.
Locals said three communities within the local government area were affected which include
Raka, Raka Dutse and filingawa.
Though the Sokoto state police Command denied knowledge of the attack when contacted.
Spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i denied knowledge of the attacks.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bandits attacked the communities around evening time on Saturday.
The immediate past chairman of the area, Bashar Kalenjeni while confirming the attacks said 18 persons were killed at Raka, 17 at filingawa and two at Raka Dutse.
According to the former council chairman, the remain of the deceased had not been buried as the bandits dispersed community members who attempted to conduct the burial rite.
He said the attack may not be unconnected to the refusal of the community members to pay levies imposed on their communities by the bandits.
“The bandits imposed levies on their communities which was meant to take charge and being dictating to residents on what to and not to do.
“But the villagers refused to succumb and because of that they attacked them, killing 37 persons while several others sustained various degrees of gun shot injuries and currently receiving treatment in General hospital Gwadabawa.
He said several other person’s were unaccounted for as the area is still unsafe for fleeing residents to return.
