Six individuals lost their lives in a conflict between suspected bandits and vigilantes, locally known as Yan Sakai in the Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to a source in the area who chose not to be named, the vigilantes avenged the killing of their leader, Alhaji Dahiru, by a suspected bandit.
Witnesses said the clash began when a leader of the Gidan Hashimu village vigilantes tried to arrest and question a well-known cattle thief seen hanging around in the market.
During the crisis, the suspected bandits reportedly shot and killed the vigilantes’ leader, leading to retaliation by the vigilantes.
Before the police arrived at the market, more than six people were killed, some sustaining bullet wounds while trying to seek cover.
The enraged vigilantes carried out revenge attacks on Fulani communities, allegedly executing over 50 people in response to the killing of their two leaders.
I am currently in hiding with my family to avoid another revenge attack by the suspected bandits.
There is tension in Gada town as suspected Fulanis threaten to attack the town in retaliation for the killings of their members.
Today is Kiri village market day, but there are no Fulani individuals in the market area.
The Vigilantes' attack on numerous Fulani communities in Gada Local Government Area resulted in the deaths of many Fulanis.
A member of the state House of Assembly representing the area, Kabiru Gada, also confirmed the incident, saying, “The incident occurred when a suspected bandits leader was seen in the Gada market making purchases, and some vigilante leaders identified him and demanded his arrest and interrogation.
He later resisted and instantly shot and macheted the Vigilantes leader of Gidan Hashimu village to death, which led to retaliation against the Fulanis by the vigilantes.
I have received reports indicating that many people were killed, and some sustained gunshot injuries from both sides. Both Fulanis and vigilantes lost their lives.
Another eyewitness, Usman Gada, who spoke with our correspondent, said the leader had followed and intercepted the suspect, who was with his kinsmen on their way to the local cattle market on Thursday.
The suspect resisted arrest and brought out a knife, stabbing the vigilante leader and causing his death.
When news of his death reached his colleagues, they mobilized and stormed the market, killing any Fulani man they saw. We counted about eight corpses of Fulanis, which were later taken to the mortuary.
Security operatives intervened quickly to prevent further escalation because the Yan Sakai, around 100 in number, were eager to set the police station on fire, where some of the Fulanis had taken refuge.
“Soldiers surrounded the police station and scattered them. However, the vigilantes destroyed all the Fulanis settlements in the area.”
Confirming the event, the spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, said six individuals died during the incident.
“We are still investigating to uncover the underlying cause of the problems and apprehend those responsible,” he said.
