Two foreign money trade sellers had been killed on Sunday after suspected Lakurawa bandits opened fireplace 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 business 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 vendor who repeatedly operated on the market, whereas the second sufferer was recognized as Alhaji Ummaru.
Residents of the world disclosed that the Lakurawa bandits have continued to terrorise a number of villages in Gudu and neighbouring Tangaza Native Authorities Space, implementing 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 fireplace on merchants earlier than seizing money in each native and foreign currency echange.
“After the operation, two of them returned on a motorbike and advised individuals to proceed their companies, saying they’d completed what they got here for,” an eyewitness stated.
Residents say the deteriorating safety state of affairs has compelled a number of colleges to close down, whereas {economic} actions proceed beneath concern.
“We want safety greater than something,” one resident lamented. “It’s like there’s no authorities. We’re not having fun with democracy right here, solely concern.”
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 submit 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 assist from neighbouring Arewa Dandi Native Authorities in Kebbi State attributable to geographical proximity, relatively than Sokoto authorities.
Residents are calling on the Sokoto State Authorities and safety companies to intervene urgently and supply sustained safety for communities alongside the Nigeria–Niger border hall.