Buhari condemns bandits’ massacre of 15 in Sokoto 

Anthony Iwuoma

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the killing of 15 people in Goronyo and Illela Local Government Areas of Sokoto, describing the attack as needless and mindless.

In a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to Buhari Media & Publicity) on Tuesday, Buhari also vowed that the perpetrators of the heinous act would be fished out and punished.

The statement said: “This persistent and unprovoked violence against unarmed civilians must be met with a fierce response by the government.

“Let me once again, reassure Nigerians, that this administration will not abandon them to their fate in the face of this existential challenge caused by banditry.

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“We are taking delivery of military equipment to improve the capacity of our security forces to effectively deal with this issue.

“Our military is also deploying advanced technology to enhance surveillance and related operations to locate and crush these criminals and enemies of our common humanity,’ Buhari said.

The president stated that his government would not allow criminals to have free reign in the country.

“This administration will not tolerate this state of affairs where criminals deprive the people of their means of livelihoods and turn them into beggars and refugees. The bandits are living in a fool’s paradise if they believe that they can’t be crushed. The criminals cannot be lucky always; they will ultimately meet their Waterloo. Evil cannot triumph over good no matter how long it takes,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State government has also confirmed the killing by the rampaging bandits.

The state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, said while 12 persons were killed in Illela, the other three were nowed down in Goronyo.

He condoled with the bereaved families of and all residents of the affected communities.

Sokoto has come under attack by the bandits repeatedly in recent times. The bandits have continued to wreak havoc across the country, especially in the North