The resurgence of attacks by bandits in Sokoto State is a result of the negligence of the military that enabled the armed gangs who were dislodged from Zamfara to infiltrate Sokoto, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has said.
These were the words of the Sokoto State governor when he received in audience the delegation sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to assess the security situation in that state, according to the Daily Trust newspaper.
President Buhari had sent the military chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, to Sokoto to assess the situation in that state.
There has been an upsurge in bandits’ attacks in Sokoto in recent times but the attack of last week took many by surprise, especially the burning of passengers.
Tambuwal himself, who had gone to the area where the attack happened left the place shortly before the bandits invaded the community and gunned down three persons.
Tambuwal attributed the rise in attacks to Operation Hadarin Daji, a military exercise in Zamfara.
“Operation Hadarin Daji, the precursor of the escalation of tension and crisis in Sokoto state was carried out without any blocking force around the neighbouring states, particularly Sokoto state,” the governor said.
“Also, the timing of the operation, whereby, unfortunately, our security agents do not have enough equipment to move and curtail and contain those that would pander towards Sokoto state didn’t help the timing as well. So, the timing and the way the operation was carried out left Sokoto very vulnerable.
“It does appear as if those bandits pursued from Zamfara state have relocated to Sokoto state. This is a very serious call for concern.
“There is a need for more boots on the ground. I am familiar with the situation at the center, but I believe that something can be done, and, that should be done urgently and expeditiously because our situation is getting out of hand.”
