Local vigilantes have killed at least 11 Fulani at a weekly market in Mamande village, in Gwadabawa local government of Sokoto state.
Four others were said to have sustained gunshot injuries, and were currently receiving medication at the Orthopedic hospital, Wamakko.
No reason was given for the attack, but it could not be unconnected to the recent killings and abductions in the eastern parts of the state by bandits.
The state government had earlier outlawed the volunteer vigilante groups (known as Yan Sakai) in the state because of their excesses.
The chairman of the local government council, Aminu Aya, said the vigilantes came from the neighbouring Goronyo local government area.
He said the slain Fulani were from the neighbouring communities and came to the market to buy food items.
He said the incident occurred around 3pm on Thursday when the market was at its peak.
The chairman said the vigilantes identified and shot 15 Fulani on the spot with dane guns.
“Eleven of their victims died instantly while four sustained fractures in their hands as a result of the gun shots they sustained.
“As I am speaking to you, we are taking the injured ones to an Orthopedic hospital in Wamakko, while the 11 bodies were deposited at the mortuary,” he said.
The chairman said the attackers could not be arrested because they were heavily armed.
However, the spokesperson of the Sokoto Police Command, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, could not be reached as at the time of publishing this report.
