The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Police Force said it is investigating the root cause of the crisis that ensued between members of a vigilante group and some Fulani herdsmen in the state on Thursday.
The Command’s spokeperson, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, confirmed the incident that happened at Gada weekly market, saying the Police is still investigating the issue.
Six persons were killed while several others sustained various degrees of injuries in the unfortunate clash
Gada Local Government is among the areas worst hit by terrorist activities in the Sokoto East Senatorial District.
ASP Rufa’i said the police recovered six dead bodies suspected to be of Fulani killed by the vigilantes and left unattended on the market day.
Unanimous eyewitness revealed that the incident started when a vigilantes leader of the Gidan Hashimu village made a move to arrest and interrogate a suspected notorious cattle rustler seen loitering in the market, and the move was resisted by the Fulanis group around the market.
The suspected bandits at the height of the crisis shot and killed the vigilantes leader, their decision heightens the reprisal by members of the vigilantes.
He further said before the security operatives arrived the scene, more than six people were killed while others who sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of gunshots have been receiving medical treatments.