Troops kill bandits, rescue victims in Sokoto

Several suspected bandits were killed on Monday when troops intervened to rescue traders ambushed along the Tarah–Karawa route in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The traders were reportedly travelling from Tarah village to the weekly Sabon Birni market when gunmen attacked them at Kwanan Akimbo around 8am.

Residents said soldiers stationed in Kurawa responded swiftly after hearing gunshots, engaging the attackers in a gun duel that lasted nearly an hour.

“The army engaged them in a fierce battle. The bandits later retreated and fled to their enclave across the stream.

“We counted nine bodies of the bandits, and another four were found in the nearby bush and along the stream. The soldiers also recovered several weapons and motorcycles and took them to Kurawa,” a resident told our reporter.

He added that two civilians sustained injuries and were receiving treatment in a hospital, but that all the traders were rescued unharmed: “There was no casualty on the side of the army also.”

Confirming the incident, the Member representing Sabon Birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, said at least nine corpses believed to be that of the attackers had been recovered, noting that more searches were ongoing.

“A lot of weapons and motorcycles were recovered. I hope our army will sustain this tempo,” he said.

The incident happened barely a day after bandits attacked Gatawa and Shalla villages in Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs, respectively, killing seven people and abducting several women.

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