Gunmen yesterday killed 32 persons in Gandi village of Sokoto State. Among the casualties were 10 pregnant women and 16 children.
The victims have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites. The Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, attended the burial rites.
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The governor, while addressing the villagers, described the attack as unfortunate. He also promised that his government would continue to support security agencies to protect life and property in the state.
“Our presence here is to sympathize with the victims of this unfortunate situation and assure them of the necessary security and relief materials. This is in order to ease their suffering, especially at this difficult time of need,” Tambuwal said.
The governor further assured the victims that the state government would continue to provide all the necessary materials for those who sought refuge in the camp provided by the local government council.
Gunmen had in the early hours of yesterday overrun the community, shooting indiscriminately at anyone in sight. The bandits shot into homes, killing residents that were still sleeping.
A victim Ndababu, who lost his wife, said that the motive of the bandits was still a mystery as there was no communal clash, fuelling speculation that it was a terrorist attack. He said there used to be cattle rustling and robberies in the area but yesterday’s attack was neither robbery nor cattle rustling.
He said: “I woke up and I was planning to go to the farm when I heard the sound of gunfire and as I was trying to find out what was happening, a bullet hit my wife and she died instantly. After a few minutes, there was wailing everywhere as many people died in the incident.”
A police officer said the police were investigating to know the motive of the bandits and to fish out the hoodlums
