Sokoto lawmaker: Gunmen now write letters to villagers before attacks

Sa’idu Ibrahim, a member of the Sokoto house of assembly, says villagers now receive letters from gunmen prior to attacks on such communities.

He stated this at a media briefing on Thursday, while speaking on recent attacks by suspected bandits in Sabon Birni LGA of the state.

Ibrahim, who represents Sabon Birni south in the state house of assembly, called for urgent measures from the federal and state governments to curb the attacks.

According to NAN, he said the situation has caused more problems for the people, as villages record attacks by gunmen frequently, which result in the loss of lives and property.

“Today, we have over 500 villages in Sabon Birni LGA, but as I am talking to you, only the local government headquarters has not experienced threat of bandits’ attack,” he said.

“As such, an estimated number of 35 to 40 percent of all the people living in those villages have been displaced to the local government headquarters for safety.

“This situation has continued to generate more harm to the livelihood of the people, while the bandits continue to operate without any fear of security agencies.

“Moreover, any time the gunmen wish to launch an attack on the villages, they have the courage to serve a letter to the villagers, before the time of the attack.”

He lamented the lack of adequate security agents, adding that the gunmen usually attack “in their hundreds”.

He, however, commended security operatives deployed to the area for their dedication to duty, and appealed for more personnel to assist in addressing the situation.

Ibrahim also advised the state government to empower the local vigilante groups with modern fighting equipment in order to complement the security agencies in restoring normalcy to the affected areas.