Bandits Kill Four, Loot Property Worth Millions in Fresh Attacks on Sokoto Communities

Suspected bandits have killed four people and looted property worth hundreds of millions of naira during coordinated attacks on Gandi and Maikujera communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to Daily Trust, the attacks, which occurred between Friday evening and Saturday morning, also resulted in the rustling of hundreds of livestock, widespread looting of shops and fuel outlets, and the displacement of many residents who fled for safety.

According to residents who spoke with Daily Trust, the gunmen stormed Gandi on Saturday morning after driving away a large herd of cattle from nearby settlements. The attackers reportedly attempted to force their way into a filling station but, after finding it locked, damaged a fuel dispensing pump by shooting at it before stealing petrol and engine oil from nearby black-market fuel vendors.

The assailants later invaded government-built housing for internally displaced persons (IDPs), where they killed two residents before security personnel arrived and forced them to retreat.

In a separate attack on Maikujera village on Friday evening, two more residents were killed, while three others sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Residents said the attackers made away with more than 150 cattle, cash, petrol, engine oil, mobile phones, recharge cards, food items, soft drinks and other valuables. Community members estimated the losses from the attack at over ₦250 million.

Witnesses claimed the gunmen, who reportedly rode into the village on about 200 motorcycles, had earlier gathered rustled livestock from several communities across Bodinga, Shagari, Yabo and parts of Tureta Local Government Area before passing through Maikujera due to flooding along alternative routes.

The affected communities have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to reinforce the existing security presence, warning that repeated attacks have left residents living in fear and forced many families to abandon their homes.

Residents also disclosed that the communities had suffered multiple bandit attacks within the past week and expressed concern over intelligence suggesting another possible attack.

While commending the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Rabah for responding promptly to distress calls, they urged authorities to deploy additional security personnel to curb the persistent violence.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, did not respond to calls or messages before the report was filed.