Some unidentified armed bandits on Wednesday afternoon killed the District Head of Balle community in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Ibrahim Aliyu.

The 82-year-old Aliyu was reportedly killed by the gunmen who stormed the community on six motorcycles and set the Divisional Police Headquarters in the area, patrol cars and some personal vehicles on fire.

An eyewitness who spoke to reporters said the attackers invaded the area around 4 pm and wreaked havoc without being confronted by security operatives until some minutes after 5 pm.

“The whole area was thrown into commotion with people fleeing into the nearby bush for safety, including my wives and children. The attackers stormed the house of the District Head after setting the police station on fire.

“They scaled through the fence of the house because it was locked, dragged the District Head, who was at the time resting in his room outside and shot him dead.

“It is like they came with a mission to attack the station and kill the District Head and we are suspecting they were led by an insider who is conversant with the area because this is the first time we experienced such an attack,” he said.

Confirming the attack, the member representing Balle Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Honourable Faruk Balle said they were all shocked because the area used to be the most peaceful area in the state. He called on the Federal Government to take decisive measures that would end banditry in the country.

The late District Head, who is survived by two wives, eight children and many grand children has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.