'Gun duel' 2 killed as bandits, security operatives exchange fire in Sokoto

One bandit was reportedly killed while several others injured in a gun duel with security operatives at Rabah town headquarter of Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Freelanews learnt that the bandits invaded the town around 4 pm on Friday but met fierce resistance by security operatives stationed there.

A resident of the area, Babangida Ibrahim Rabah, told reporters that the bandits came on over 200 motorcycles with each motorcycle carrying three men fully armed with AK-47 and other sophisticated riffles.

“They were, however, engaged in a gun battle by the mobile policemen and they fought for over an hour before overpowering the police and entered the town.

“They shot four people but only one died; rustled several animals and burnt two vehicles, one belonging to the police and the other one belonging to a traditional ruler in the community.

“But we saw a dead body of one of the bandits with his AK-47 rifle and five fully loaded magazines.

“We believe several of them escaped with gunshot injuries,” he said.

Another resident, Sanusi Shittu, told Daily Trust that the people of the community were still in shock because this was the first attack on the headquarter of the Rabah local government.

“We have never experienced this in the past. This is the first attack.

“We thank the security operatives, particularly the police who fiercely fought them despite their limited number,” he said.