At least 11 people have been killed in separate bandit attacks on communities in Rabah and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State, raising fresh concerns about the region’s worsening security situation.
The latest attack happened on Monday in Maikujera village, Rabah LGA, where seven people, including two Sokoto Community Guard Corps (SCGC) operatives, were killed. Three women were also killed in nearby Angamba village.
The attack came less than 24 hours after suspected bandits, reportedly wearing military uniforms, invaded Unguwan Lalle in Sabon Birni LGA, killing four residents and injuring several others.
Security sources said the attackers arrived in Maikujera on more than 30 motorcycles around 2:30 p.m., shooting residents and abducting an unspecified number of people.
An SCGC operative confirmed that two corps members died while trying to defend the community.
“We rushed to protect the residents, but the attackers were too many. They arrived on more than 30 motorcycles and overwhelmed our men,” the operative said.
He said the community guards faced poor logistics, including a lack of armoured vehicles and enough ammunition.
A police source told Daily Trust that “the attackers were believed to have entered the area from Bakura in neighbouring Zamfara State”.
The bandits reportedly tried to steal livestock and opened fire after residents resisted. Despite a military base nearby, security personnel reportedly arrived after the attackers had fled into Bakura forest.
In Unguwan Lalle, residents said about 200 armed bandits in military uniforms invaded around 8 p.m. Sunday and operated for nearly six hours. They looted homes and shops, stole livestock and shot at fleeing villagers.
“We thought they were soldiers because of their uniforms. They surrounded the village, opened fire and carted away our belongings and livestock,” one resident recounted.
The victims were identified as Bilyaminu Wakkala and Danbaki Tulunawa. The other two were linked to nearby Kongurus village.
Police spokesperson DSP Ahmad Rufa’i confirmed a farmer was killed but said the Unguwan Lalle attack was still being verified.
Meanwhile, Sokoto State Government ordered all public primary and secondary schools outside the state capital to close over worsening insecurity. Schools in Sokoto North and South, and selected schools in Wamakko, Dange Shuni and Kware, are exempt.
Commissioner Prof. Ahmed Ladan Ala said the move followed a Federal Government directive to protect students and staff.
Affected schools will remain closed until further notice, despite third-term examinations scheduled for next week.
