The death toll of the latest massacre in Sokoto State, earlier reported to be 15, has risen to 45, as bandits wreaked havoc in at least seven villages in Illela LGA.
Bandits have terrorized many parts of the northern region, growing in influence over the past couple of years.
Governor Tambuwal had said the ‘bandits graduating into terrorists’ killed 13 in Illela, and two in Goronyo.
That figure has now been updated after the governor paid a condolence visit to Illela where he was informed by residents about the true scale of the attack.
His spokesperson, Muhammad Bello, told BBC Hausa that the attackers wreaked havoc in at least seven villages in the LGA.
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack, vowing not to allow bandits take over the country under his watch.
“The bandits are living in a fool’s paradise if they believe that they can’t be crushed.
“The criminals cannot be lucky always; they will ultimately meet their waterloo,” he said.