Buhari’s minister laments banditry attack in Sokoto, provides palliatives to survivors

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq was appalled at the high level of banditry in Sokoto State which has lingered for quite some time now.

The Minister condemned the maiming of innocent commoners by criminal elements in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

Reacting while on an official visit to the community, she directed that relief be provided to survivors of the attack, adding that the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry would do all it can to assist the victims to its fullest.

“The Ministry will stand with the people in their hour of deprivation and need by ensuring that the pains inflicted on them by the terrorists are mitigated through appropriate interventions,” she said.

She therefore urged all the appropriate agencies to work in collaboration with Sokoto State government to immediately commence action in providing the much-needed relief to the survivors.

Government, she said, condemned in strongest terms the killing of Nigerians by bandits in communities of Sabon Birnin Local Government of Sokoto state.

She commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto state, and condoled with the families that lost their loved ones in the heinous attacks.

Sadiya Umar Farouq said that it was shocking that terrorists operating as bandits would commit mass murder in peaceful communities where innocent citizens were engaged in agrarian life without posing threat to anyone.

“In addition to the criminal killing of innocent citizens, the livelihoods of residents of the communities have been disrupted as hundreds of families were displaced from their homes following the unwarranted attacks by the criminal elements,” she said.

Meanwhile, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State was at the Presidential Villa in Abuja where he met President Muhammadu Buhari over the dastardly attack and Killings in his state.

The President had directed the relevant authorities to immediately,act on the matter and ensure that the entire Sokoto state remain peaceful and fortified.

Meanwhile, Senator Ibrahim Gobir representing Sokoto North Senatorial district has revealed that over 5,000 residents have fled to Niger Republic as a result of incessant attacks on their communities by bandits.

Speaking while making his contribution to the legislative debates on the floor of the Senate last week, the lawmaker further revealed that bandits uses helicopter in attacking the residents, adding that the Nigerian Military had feigned ignorance of the plight of victims.