November 18, (THEWILL) – Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Thursday confirmed the death of 43 persons in Monday’s bandit attack in Illela local government area of the state.
A statement issued by Tambuwal’s special adviser on media and publicity, Malam Muhammad Bello, said the governor led members of the state’s executives and security council on a condolence visit to the people of Illela on Wednesday.
Recall that bandits attacked the town and other villages on Nov. 15, killing 13 persons in the first instance.
“At the time of the governor’s visit on Wednesday, the death toll had risen to 43,” he stated.
Bello explained that the village head of Kalmalo, one of the five villages affected in the midnight attack, was wounded. Other villages affected are Munwadata, Sarma, Runji, and Masasa.
He added that Tambuwal told the people of Illela that the government and people of Sokoto state feel their grief and extend their condolences.
Tambuwal commended the local government authority, traditional rulers and community leaders for their lawful composition of a volunteer group to work with security operatives in the area.
He gave assurances the state government would constitute joint operations of volunteers who would work under the supervision of security agencies to enhance security in the area.
