The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the death of six persons after a bloody confrontation between the vigilantes and suspected Fulani bandits at Gada weekly market in the State on Thursday.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, who confirmed the development in Gada LGA, said the Police were still investigating incident.
“I can confirm to you that, we recovered six bodies suspected to be of Fulanis killed by the vigilantes left unattended on the market day on Thursday in Gada town,” he stated.
Efforts to reach the sole administrator of Gada local government area, Hon. Altine Kyadawa, proved difficult as his phone was switched off despite several calls put to the line by our Correspondent.
The incident, according to eyewitnesses, started when a leader of the Gidan Hashimu village vigilante group made a move to arrest and interrogate a notorious cattle rustler seen loitering in the market. The move was resisted by the Fulani group around the market.
The suspected bandits at the height of the crisis shot and killed the vigilante leader, which sparked reprisal attack by members of the vigilante group
He said before the arrival of the police team to the market, more than six people had been killed.
The Vigilantes in the area, provoked by the killing of their leader, went on reprisal attacks on Fulani communities in the area where over 50 people were alleged to have been dislodged by the rampaging group.
“As I speak to you now, I and my family are in hiding to avoid anticipated reprisal attack by the suspected bandits.
“There is tension in Gada town, as suspected Fulanis vowed to attack the town to avenge the killings of their members, we know they can do that.
“Today is Kiri village market day, but you cannot spot a single Fulani male or female in the market area. It’s a market which is hitherto full of Fulanis, but the recent development forced many of them to flee from the area.
“The attack launched by the vigilantes in many Fulani communities in Gada local government area on Thursday saw the killing of many Fulanis in the area,” the eye itness said.
Also confirming the bloody confrontation, Hon. Kabiru Gada, a legislator in the State House of Assembly representing Gada LGA, said: “the incident occurred when a suspected bandit leader was said to have been seen in the Gada market making purchases and some vigilante leaders identified him and demanded his arrest and interrogation which he resisted and they instantly shot and macheted the vigilante leader of Gidan Hashimu village to death which prompted reprisal attack against the Fulanis from members of the vigilantes.
“The report at my disposal shows that many people were killed some with injuries sustained from gunshots fired by both sides, some Fulanis and vigilantes lost their lives.
“People are still counting and consoling families of victims who were injured or lost their lives during the unfortunate confrontation between the two longtime neighbours.
“As I am talking to you, I am on my way to the area to ascertain the level of casualties and as well console families of those who lost their lives during the unfortunate clash,” the legislator said.