Anthony Iwuoma
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have invaded a market in Sokoto state, killing no fewer than 40 persons.
After the attack on the crowded bustling onion and other cash crops marked, 42 corpses were brought to Goronyo General Hospital.
Sources also said the number of casualties was expected to rise, as searches for more bodies were still ongoing in nearby river and bushes around the town.
It was gathered that operatives of the town’s vigilance group had gone in search of the bandits but unknown to them, the bandits were also planning to attack the town in their absence.
This has given room to speculations that informants were responsible for the attack since the bandits could not have known that the vigilantes were not in town without being ripped off by someone.Residents have, therefore, urged the government and security personnel to crackdown on moles, living among the people.
There is also another view that the attack was a reprisal to the killing of 10 Fulani herdsmen on a similar market day by the vigilantes in Mammande village of Gwadabawa local Government of the state.
The state governor, who confirmed the incident, said they were still compiling the number of victims of the bloodbath.
The governor charged residents of the area not to take laws into their hands, as government and security agencies are making progress to brought the attackers to justice.