Two foreign money trade sellers had been killed on Sunday after suspected Lakurawa bandits opened hearth on the Durusar Gawo foreign money market within the Kurdula District of Gudu Native Authorities Space of Sokoto State.
The market serves as a significant industrial hub between Nigeria and the Niger Republic, attracting merchants and foreign money sellers from each side of the border.
One of many victims, recognized as Sani, was a Nigerien foreign money supplier who frequently operated on the market, whereas the second sufferer was recognized as Alhaji Ummaru.
Residents of the realm disclosed that the Lakurawa bandits have continued to terrorise a number of villages in Gudu and neighbouring Tangaza Native Authorities Space, imposing their very own guidelines, confiscating livestock, and meting out punishments with out resistance.
In the meantime, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufa’i, who confirmed the assault, stated one sufferer died immediately whereas the second handed away at Dogon Dutse Hospital.
Eyewitnesses stated a few dozen armed males arrived round 2 p.m. on bikes and headed straight to the foreign money trade part of the market, the place they opened hearth on merchants earlier than seizing money in each native and foreign currency.
“After the operation, two of them returned on a motorbike and informed individuals to proceed their companies, saying they’d completed what they got here for,” an eyewitness stated.
Residents say the deteriorating safety scenario has compelled a number of faculties to close down, whereas financial actions proceed below worry.
“We want safety greater than something,” one resident lamented. “It’s like there’s no authorities. We aren’t having fun with democracy right here, solely worry.”
One other resident claimed there are not any safety personnel stationed in Kurdula regardless of it being the headquarters of the Durusar Gawo district. In response to him, the closest safety put up is about 45 kilometres away, making response gradual and ineffective.
He added that Bachaka District is the one axis with some safety presence, and residents largely rely upon help from neighbouring Arewa Dandi Native Authorities in Kebbi State as a result of geographical proximity, fairly than Sokoto authorities.
Residents are calling on the Sokoto State Authorities and safety businesses to intervene urgently and supply sustained safety for communities alongside the Nigeria–Niger border hall.
