Tambuwal confirms residents fleeing Sokoto
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/05/tambuwal-confirms-residents-fleeing.html
Confirming the exodus of residents from parts of Sokoto to
neighbouring Republic of Niger, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has pleaded with
fleeing residents to return.
The residents were fleeing the Nigerian state and relocating to
communities in Niger Republic due to incessant attacks by bandits.
“I enjoin residents of Burunkuma communities and environs to stop relocating to Niger Republic.
“I will personally travel to the place and plead with those who relocated to come back home,’’ Tambuwal said.
Tambuwal made the plea when he addressed newsmen at the end of an
expanded security meeting following Tuesday’s attack, which led to the
killing of 82-year old District Head of Balle, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu.
He also pleaded with members of the communities to abide by President
Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the ban of motorcycles as one of the
measures taken to tackle banditry.
The governor said the security meeting was convened to proffer
solutions to the unfortunate situation and urged residents to assist
security agencies with useful information.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen.
Hakeem Otiki, heads of Police, Department of State Services and other
law enforcement agencies in the state.
NAN recalls that suspected armed bandits had on May 7 attacked Balle
town, headquarters of Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a
hitherto peaceful community.
The bandits, according to an eye witness account, came on six
motorcycles; set ablaze the divisional police headquarter in the area,
patrol cars and some personal vehicles on fire; before releasing some
detainees at the station.
They also gunned down an unidentified policeman along Karfen Sarki
area before proceeding to the traditional ruler’s palace where they
attacked and killed him.
NAN recalls that the state had in 2018 recorded such attacks on four
occasions where 90 persons were killed and dozens displaced. (NAN)
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