Six of the mobile policemen who engaged bandits during an attack on the convoy of intending pilgrims in Sokoto paid the ultimate price, according to an eyewitness.
Recall that the pilgrims were reportedly heading for Sokoto ahead of the take-off to the Holy Land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage but were attacked along Gundumi forest.
It was gathered that all the intending pilgrims were brought back unhurt to the Palace of the Sarkin Gobir of Isa, in the State.
According to the eyewitness, a resident of Isa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “The bandits ambushed the convoy, which was led by armed mobile policemen. The officers in front engaged the bandits and that was what made it possible for the pilgrims to escape, as their vehicles turned back to Isa”.
It was also gathered that the situation forced the State Pilgrims Welfare Board to reschedule their flight to today, Wednesday, as they were originally scheduled to take off by 7:30 am on Tuesday. The intending pilgrims are reportedly already in Sokoto, awaiting their flight.
The Media Aide to the State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Muhammad Bello, who confirmed the attack in an issued press statement, said the pilgrims were received by Government officials in the State capital.
When contacted, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the State, Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was not officially briefed about the death of his colleagues in the incident.
