President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday condemned the burning of 23 passengers to death inside a bus in Sokoto State by bandits.
Reports on Tuesday said bandits ambushed local migrant traders heading to the Kaduna village market in Gadan Gayan, burnt them and the vehicle conveying them.
The Sokoto State Police Commissioner, Kamaludeen Okunola, after meeting Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Wednesday, confirmed that 30 passengers were inside the bus.
He said 23 of the passengers died in the attack that took place in Angwan Bawa, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.
Mourning the victims in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said: “I am very 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.
“I extend deep condolences to the families of the victims as I assure that the security agencies will continue to give their all to bring to an end the operations of these despicable people.”
Many Nigerians have condemned the attack which happened after a Federal High Court in Abuja, recently branded bandits as terrorists.