The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that no fewer than four people were killed when suspected terrorists attacked Gorau community in Goronyo Local Government Area of the state, barely six days after a deadly boat mishap claimed scores of lives in the area.
The attackers, who invaded the community at about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, reportedly shot 11 residents, killing four of them and abducting four others, while several people sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the incident to Arise News, saying the command was aware of the attack and had commenced efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding it.
According to the village head of Gorau, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami, the attackers went from house to house during the invasion, allegedly targeting families who lost loved ones in the recent boat tragedy.
He said 11 people were shot during the attack, adding that seven of the victims survived and were immediately rushed to a hospital for medical attention, while the other four died instantly.
Na-Batsami alleged that the attackers specifically targeted the families of victims of the boat accident over the ?1 million relief money recently donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the assailants searched several houses in the community for the money.
The latest attack has heightened tension in Gorau, coming barely six days after the boat tragedy that plunged the community into mourning. The mishap, which occurred on the Goronyo waterway, was reported to have claimed the lives of dozens of residents.
The member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, Bashir Usman Gorau, also confirmed the attack and expressed condolences to the affected families, while calling for increased security measures to protect residents of the community.
Security personnel are expected to intensify operations in the area as efforts continue to locate the abducted residents and bring the perpetrators to justice.