The Sokoto State Government on Wednesday confirmed 23 deaths among travellers attacked by bandits in Isa Local Government Area.
According to available information, the travellers, who were going to the South, were burnt to death by bandits.
The confirmation of the casualty figure was contained in a statement signed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, and made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.
Bello said the state government had introduced measures and new strategies to avert future occurrence through increased synergy with security agencies.
He said: “Contrary to speculations that over 40 people lost their lives in a bandits attack on a 42-seater bus traveling to Kaduna on Monday, facts emerged that 23 people lost their lives during an attack at Gidan Bawa village in Isa local government area of Sokoto state.”
He explained that the Sokoto State Police Commissioner, Kamaludeen Okunola, had briefed Tambuwal on the incident, noting that the vehicle conveying the travellers was also burnt from the flames started by gunshots.
He added that some among the 23 dead persons were burnt, while six had injuries and the victims were receiving treatment at a hospital.
Bello said security operatives were mobilised to the scene of the attack and immediately mounted a patrol, which was still ongoing on the 30km stretch of road between Gidan Bawa in Sokoto State and Shinkafi town in Zamfara State.
The Governor’s spokesman said Tambuwal had condoled the people of the area over the incident and prayed for the souls of the deceased as well as wished injured ones quick recovery.
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