Musdapha Ilo, in Maiduguri
The Yobe State Council of Chiefs has condemned Monday’s attack on innocent traders at the Ngalda local market in Gulani local government area of Yobe State which resulted in the death of 18 persons.
In a communique issued at the end of their 7th council meeting held in Damaturu, the monarchs commended the security agents for efforts in restoring peace to the state but regretted the unnecessary loss of lives in Monday night attack.
The Emir of Fika, Mohammad Abali, called on the people of the state to corporate with security agencies in the fight against terror.
The Yobe state police commissioner, Sanusi Rufai, who confirmed Monday night’s attack, said 18 traders were killed by masked armed bandits wearing army uniform.
He said the bandits attacked and killed 18 traders, ten from Kukawa and eight from Dokshi vilages, who were returning from the Ngalda local market and took away their monies running into millions of naira.
An unlucky lecturer with the College of Agriculture Gujba, who was said to be returning from Asaka in Gombe state, was shot dead by the fleeing assailants at Buni Gari.
The Yobe police boss also explained that the attackers also ran into a quarry and attacked policemen attached to the quarry plant in the area, killing one policeman.
So far, as it is with previous attacks, no arrest was made but the Joint Task force, JTF, and police are now combing the bush and, security agents across the state were on red alert for fleeing members.