Fresh attacks by suspected bandits have left at least 13 people dead across three communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, even as security operatives stopped an attempted invasion of another village.
The attacks happened between Thursday evening and Friday morning. Six people were killed in Mazau village, four in Turtsawa, including two women, while three farmers lost their lives in Tsamaye village.
Residents said the gunmen first tried to invade Unguwan Lalle on Thursday evening but were pushed back by soldiers and local vigilantes after hours of heavy fighting.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the attackers fled after meeting strong resistance.
“The military and vigilantes engaged them in a fierce gun battle that lasted for hours. We believe the bandits suffered heavy casualties, but they evacuated the bodies of their dead as they usually do,” the resident said.
He explained that after failing to take over Unguwan Lalle, the bandits moved to Mazau where they killed six residents before heading to Turtsawa, where four more people, including two women, were killed.
According to him, the quick action of security personnel stopped the attackers from causing more deaths.
The resident added that the bandits returned on Friday morning and ambushed farmers on their way to their farms in Tsamaye village, killing three of them.
“They also attempted to attack us again during the burial of the victims this morning, but soldiers from Unguwan Lalle responded quickly and repelled them,” he said.
A community leader in Sabon Birni confirmed the attacks and said the killings were part of a fresh wave of assaults by bandits in the area.
He also revealed that three farmers were abducted by the gunmen in Fadaman Sabon Birni on Wednesday.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was still waiting for details.
“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.
