Contrary to reports that over 40 persons lost their lives in the Monday attack by bandits on a bus traveling from Sokoto State to Kaduna State, the Sokoto government has said 23 persons were killed.

UGAMATV had reported that bandits had attacked the travellers around Gidan Bawa village in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Security Chiefs in Sokoto State, comprising heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the chairmen of Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs briefed the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal on the incident on Wednesday.

The Commissioner of Police, Kamaldeen Okunola, who briefed journalists after the meeting, added that plans were on to prevent a recurrence.

He said, “Of the total number of people in the bus which the bandits shot at, causing a conflagration, 23 died of burns, while six sustained minor injuries and are receiving treatment at a hospital.

“Three of the victims whose injuries were not serious were treated and discharged.”

Okunola further said men from the security agencies were still patrolling the 300-kilometer stretch of road between Gidan Bawa, the attack spot in Sokoto State, and Shinkafi town in Zamfara State.

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Meanwhile, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has expressed sadness over the attack.

The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari mourns victims of bandits in Sokoto.’

Buhari said, “I am distressed at the manner of death visited on these hapless citizens who were undertaking a legitimate journey to another part of the country.

“It shows that the evil this administration is confronting is one that requires the support and involvement of all Nigerians.

The Senate, also, on Wednesday mourned the burnt travelers.

Coming under order 43 of the Senate rules, Senator Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East), drew the attention of his colleagues to the murder of the travelers.

He lamented the spate of killings, which, he warned were alarming and on the increase.

The Senate, thereafter, observed a minute silence to mourn the victims of Monday’s attack by bandits.

Likewise, Tambuwal condoled with the people of Gidan Bawa village on the death of the 23 persons in the last Monday attacks by bandits.

In a statement, the governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and quick recovery for those hospitalised.