Story from Ankeli EMMANUEL,Sokoto

Hell was let loose in Isa local government area of Sokoto state during the weekend as aggrieved villagers of Bargaja were alleged to have stormed a local market killing 8 Fulani in retaliation for the killing of their kinsmen.

Isa is one of the 8 local governments of Sokoto East Senatorial Districts alongside Sabon Birni, Rabah and Goronyo that has continued to live in fear because of the activities of bandits coming from Zamfara State.

A source from the village who preferred anonymity said the suspected bandits had attacked and killed their cleric (Imam) and his son on the farm before withdrawing to the market.

The source added, however, that the villagers mobilized, went to the market and allegedly opened fire on anybody suspected to be Fulani.

According to him, the incident led to the killing of almost 8 persons and the eventual termination of the market for the day as people scampered for safety.

Continuing in the series of attacks, another source confirmed that the agrived Fulanis remobilised and went back to Bargaja village the next day opening fire at anything in sight.

“Our people repelled the attackers. And they have to beat a retreat seeing that we were adequately prepared for them. Now, it has gotten to that point that we have to take our destiny into our hands. We can no longer continue to wait for the state and federal government to protect us when reality has shown that they don’t even care about our lives. They only care for us during elections,” he decried.

When asked about the incident, the State Police Command Spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said he was aware of the incident but yet to get full details from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Isa as according to him investigation is still ongoing.

ASP Sanusi, however, promised to keep our reporter abreast with developments from the incident as soon as he gets official details.