Bandits Attack Intending Pilgrims, Kill Three Police Escort in Sokoto

Onuminya Innocent

The terrorists operating at eastern part of Sokoto State have attacked the motorcade of intending pilgrims from Isa Local Government, leaving three police escort dead.

The intending pilgrims were coming to Hajj camp in Sokoto for airlift to Saudi Arabia when the bandits ambushed them, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the terrorists went away with scores of the intending pilgrims and some security agents.

However, respite had come the way of 21 intending pilgrims from Sokoto State that were kidnapped by suspected terrorists.

The Permanent Secretary of Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Shehu Muhammad Dange, confirmed to THISDAY  that the victims were kidnapped at Gundumi village alongside security escort and some members of their families who accompanied them.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Isah Bajini Galadanci, who further confirmed the incident in a press statement, said: “The victims and security men escorting them were held up by suspected bandits operating on the corridor linking the eastern part of the state.

“However, all the 21 intending pilgrims and the security escort as well as their relatives were rescued. The intending pilgrims were received by government officials and they are now waiting for their scheduled flight.”

The statement did not reveal who were responsible for their rescue nor, disclose if ransom was paid or not.

When contacted, the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP, Abubakar Sanusi, stressed that he is not aware of what was happening in Sokoto State.