SOKOTO—Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State said, yesterday, that the death toll in last Tuesday’s attacks on villages in Rabe Local Government Area of the state has risen to 39.

According to the governor, more bodies were recovered after 32 were buried.

Tambuwal, who received five governors on a condolence visit, said such mass killing was happening in Sokoto for the first time.

“Currently, there are three Internally Displaced Persons camps comprising more than 10,000 people in the affected areas,” he said.

According to him, security personnel have been mobilised for constant patrol of the areas.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto

In his remarks, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who as chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, led the condolence visit, said leaders will cooperate to check killings and destruction of property around the country.

He described the incident as worrisome, noting that Sokoto State enjoyed relative peace, in spite of the fact that it shared boundary with some areas experiencing problems in Zamfara.

Yari said:  “We were in Plateau State 10 days ago and now in Sokoto for the same condolence, which signified that drastic measures were needed to stop this menace.

“As leaders, we must stand up to our responsibilities, being that most of us here are affected. We are losing loved ones, property and many being injured all over the affected places.”

“We need to look inward because the crime is a chain that must be stamped out. As leaders, we must cooperate and evolve measures to tackle the situation.”

Similarly, Governor of Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar, led the gathering in prayer for the deceased and quick recovery for the injured.

Other governors in attendance were Aminu Masari of Katsina State; Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State; Abubakar Bello of Niger State and Kashim Shettima of Borno.

Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Ahmad Abdulkadir and Sadiq Achida, National Vice Chairman Northwest and Sokoto State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as APC chieftain, Umarun Kwabo, were also on the visit.

Recall that hundreds of suspected gunmen on Tuesday invaded Gandi and Mabanni villages in Rabah local government of Sokoto State and killed many people and destroyed properties.