Emerging report indicates that armed Fulani bandits have attacked a Joint Military Camp, in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, killing a great number Military Operatives on ground, and injuring many others, in a latest attack.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Carriers and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (Retd.) confirmed the attack, but was not sure of the exact number of casualties.
However, multiple reports suggest that many may have died following the attack.
Residents of the area and security sources revealed that the gunmen attacked the Base, codenamed “Burkusuma Camp”, in the early hours of Friday, killing an unknown number of Military Personnel.
According to the sources, the armed bandits came in their large numbers, and started shooting at the Camp from all angles.
The Military source could not confirm if the said Camp is the same with the Burkusuma Camp, in Sabo Birni Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Sabon Birni, Idris Muhammad Gobir, also known as Danchadi, told Newsmen that the “Burkusuma Camp” was attacked, with several Security Operatives in the place still missing.
He said that the marauding bandits also burnt down two patrol vehicles, and carted away another one which was used to convey food items stolen from the villagers.
Although, telecommunication services have been shut down in North-West States, the former Chairman explained that a resident of Burkusuma who accessed mobile telecommunication service from Niger Republic, told them about the attack.
Another resident of the area who craved anonymity, equally confirmed the development, explaining that some vehicles were sent to evacuate the corpses of the fallen heroes.
He said that over 10 trucks conveying armed Military Personnel are in the forest trailing the bandits.
A personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, who also sought anonymity, said that three persons from the Agency were among the casualties.
After carrying out the attack, the bandits later went to another village, Katsira, and shot 4 persons.
2 of the victims died instantly, while others are receiving treatment at an undisclosed Hospital.
The bandits also abducted 3 persons from the village.
The Security Personnel in the area, including the Spokesman of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major Yahaya Ngulde, however, said that they are not aware of the incident.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Sanusi Abubakar, also said he has not been briefed about the latest assault on the State.
More news later…