Bandits Kill 13 in Fresh Attacks on Sokoto Communities

No fewer than 13 people have been killed in fresh attacks by suspected bandits on three communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, despite security operatives successfully repelling an attempted invasion of another community.

The attacks, which occurred between Thursday evening and Friday morning, claimed six lives in Mazau village, four in Turtsawa, including two women, and three farmers in Tsamaye village. Residents said the bandits first attempted to invade Unguwan Lalle on Thursday evening but were repelled by troops and local vigilantes after a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers retreated after meeting stiff resistance from the combined security team. According to him, the bandits later diverted to Mazau village, where they killed six residents before proceeding to Turtsawa and killing four others, including two women. He added that the swift response of security operatives prevented further casualties. The source also disclosed that the bandits returned on Friday morning and ambushed farmers heading to their farms in Tsamaye village, killing three of them. He further said the attackers attempted to strike again during the burial of the victims, but soldiers from Unguwan Lalle responded quickly and repelled them.
A community leader in Sabon Birni confirmed the attacks, describing the killings as part of renewed assaults by bandits in the area. He also revealed that three farmers were abducted by gunmen at Fadaman Sabon Birni on Wednesday. Efforts to reach the two lawmakers representing Sabon Birni in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza and Hon. Sa’idu Ibrahim, were unsuccessful as calls to their telephone lines went unanswered.
When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’I, said he had not yet received a briefing on the incident. “I am yet to receive details of the attacks. I will contact the Divisional Police Officer in the area and get back with the necessary information,” he said.