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Some bandits from Zamfara disclosed that they have fled Zamfara state to set up presence in Bullazu and Gangara villages of Sabon Birni local area of Sokoto state in anticipation of troops from neighbouring Niger Republic, coming to assist their Nigerian counterparts to help curtail the menace ravaging the area.
There has been escalation of bandits’ attacks on Sabon Birni, and neighbouring local governments recently, including one on a military base at Burkusuma where at least 15 personnel were killed, and many others injured last weekend.
Tantabara News confirmed from sources that the attack was carried out by gunmen from the gangs of notorious bandits’ leader, Turji, with others loyal to Halilu Sububu.
The two bandits’ kingpins operate around Zurmi and Shinkafi, two local governments bordering Sabon Birni.
The Defence Headquarters in a statement on Monday confirmed the attack but attributed it to forces from the jihadist’s Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
One of the arrowheads of the bandits, Shehu Rekeb, claimed responsibility for the last weekend’s attack on the Nigerian security forces.
Rekeb said some security personnel kidnapped by the attackers were being held by the bandits.
He said Turji led his men to launch the attack in order to take position around the border town to avert any incursion by the Nigerien troops who, he said, were preparing to move in to support the push against the bandits operating in the area.
He asked Nigerien President Mahamed Bazoum to stay out of what he described as a “family affair” and Nigeria’s internal affairs, warning that the bandits would begin to launch attacks on the Nigerien side.
On the claim that ISWAP was responsible for the attack, Rekeb said: “They know the attack was done by Fulani boys. They know them all. Many of their men were taken away; if they call them, they know who answers them.”
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