Bandits have killed the District Head of Kulodo in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Alhaji Abubakar Tudu, his eldest son, Abubakar Abubakar, and four other residents in a fresh attack on the community.

The assailants also killed another resident in neighbouring Kwance village during the raid.

The attack occurred while residents were observing the Asr prayer.

A security source told our correspondent that the bandits stormed Kulodo and Kwance villages in large numbers on motorcycles, opening fire indiscriminately.

According to the source, those killed in Kulodo included the village head, his eldest son, Rufa’I Bala, Muhammad Sanusi and Aliyu Dan-Uti, while Yellow Dikko was killed in Kwance village.

“The bandits invaded the communities in large numbers and immediately began shooting.

“They killed the village head, his eldest son and four other residents before moving to the neighbouring village, where they also killed another person,” the source said.

The source added that the attackers rustled a large number of livestock but did not abduct any residents.

“They were mainly after animals. They forced local herders to drive the stolen cattle while they escorted them on motorcycles.

“The herders later told us the livestock were taken to a forest in Zamfara State before they were released to return home,” the source said.

He further disclosed that the attack has forced women and children to flee both communities.

“We have just returned from the villages after accompanying some state government officials and lawmakers on a condolence visit.

“The situation is devastating. Virtually all the women and children have fled, leaving behind only a few men,” he added.

The latest attack came barely 24 hours after bandits reportedly killed the Chief Imam of Talluje village and two other residents in another attack in Bodinga Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.

Scores of youths on Friday blocked the busy Sokoto-Jega highway in protest against the persistent bandit attacks on communities in Bodinga LGA of Sokoto State.

The protesters, who converged on the highway in the morning, set bonfires on the road, disrupting traffic for several hours before they were dispersed by a combined team of security operatives.

The protest followed renewed attacks on communities in the area, which have displaced large numbers of residents now taking refuge in Bodinga town.

A resident told Daily Trust that the demonstration began at about 8:00 a.m., shortly after a downpour, and continued for several hours.

According to the source, the protesters prevented the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, from passing through the road and allegedly smashed the windscreen of his official vehicle.

“The protest started around 8:00 a.m. shortly after the rain. The youths blocked the highway and prevented the Speaker from passing. They also smashed the glass of his vehicle before security operatives dispersed them,” the source said.

A resident of Bodinga, Alhaji Abubakar Bodinga, confirmed the protest, saying calm had since been restored following the deployment of security personnel to the area.

He added that the Speaker, the Secretary to the State Government and other government officials were visiting one of the affected communities to sympathise with victims of the recent attacks.

“As I speak, normalcy has returned. Security operatives have been deployed, while the Speaker, the Secretary to the State Government and other officials are in one of the affected villages to console the victims,” he said.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’I, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to telephone calls placed to his mobile line. (Daily Trust)

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