No fewer than 19 people have been killed in different bandits attacks in various communities in the eastern part of Sokoto State in the past one week.
Hundreds of residents have also fled their communities and sought refuge in Niger Republic due to persistent bandits attacks.
The communities affected, it was learnt, include Sabon Birni and Gatawa.
21st Century Chronicle reports that seven people were killed at Gatawa and Bargaja in Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas last week. And in the early hours of Monday, 12 people, including a popular businessman, were killed by bandits Illela Amarawa in Illela local government area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Carrier and Security Matters, Col. Garba Moyi (rtd) said the attacks were carried out by bandits that have refused to embrace government peace deals.
He said over 20 weapons and several livestock have been recovered from bandits.
The spokesman of the Sokoto Police Command, Sunusi Abubakar said the command has just launched the second phase of “Operation Puff Ader”, adding that five units, each comprising 63 armed policemen, have been deployed to the affected areas.
