Six drown while fleeing bandit attack

At least six villagers lost their lives and three others remain missing after a canoe capsized in Garin Faji, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as people fled an early morning assault by suspected bandits.

The tragedy occurred on Thursday, August 21, the second such incident in less than a week. Just six days earlier, four people had drowned in a similar mishap in nearby Goronyo Local Government Area.

According to eyewitness accounts, dozens of terrified residents took to the water to evade advancing attackers.

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many villagers had been spending the night in the bush to avoid raids and were returning home when disaster struck.

“Out of fear, many people no longer sleep in their homes. That morning, they were returning when the canoe capsized,” the source said.

Another resident explained that panic set in as the villagers spotted the approaching bandits, causing a rush to cross the waterway.

“They rushed into the canoe, but it could not carry them all and it capsized midway,” he said.

Hon. Aminu Boza, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni, confirmed the incident, saying insecurity has forced several communities to empty out.“Some communities are now completely deserted. Most men spend the night in the bush and only return home in the morning,” Boza said.
He noted that the state government had deployed Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to boost security operations, which had recorded some successes.

“Just two days ago, security personnel foiled an attack and arrested four suspected bandits. But the area still requires more security presence,” he stated.

The Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also verified the accident. A senior official reported that 19 people were rescued, while efforts continued to locate the three missing individuals.

“In response, SEMA led a joint assessment visit with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the Red Cross to the affected community to confirm the casualties and engage with families of the victims,” the official said.

A joint report on the incident is expected from NEMA, SEMA, and NIWA.

(DAILY TRUST)