17 Killed as bandits attack Sokoto community, loot shops, force residents to flee

No fewer than 17 people, including seven visitors who had travelled to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, were reportedly killed after heavily armed bandits attacked Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Residents said the attackers, numbering in the hundreds and riding motorcycles, stormed the community on Sunday morning, opening fire indiscriminately, looting shops, and forcing villagers to flee into nearby forests.

According to local accounts, the assailants were believed to have travelled from Bagega village in Zamfara State through Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum Local Government Area before spending the night in Gizazza village ahead of the attack.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen entered Dangulbi between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and immediately began shooting at residents.

“They started firing as soon as they arrived. People ran in different directions to save their lives, but 17 people were killed during the attack,” the source said.

Among those reportedly killed were Munde, Nagoma, Abdullahi, Danbala, Munden Chana, Muhammadu Dan Amo, Hassan, Abubakar Danbaba and Yidi Bafillace.

Residents disclosed that five of the victims had travelled from Adarawa in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while two others came from Gidan Gambo in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State to celebrate the Sallah festivities.

Witnesses further alleged that the bandits remained in the community for several hours after the attack, preventing residents from retrieving the bodies of the victims.

“They stayed until about 7 p.m., making it impossible for anyone to come out. Funeral prayers were eventually held after 9:30 p.m. when they left the area,” a resident said.

The attackers were also accused of looting about 20 shops before moving to neighbouring communities, including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji, where several people were reportedly abducted.

However, residents claimed that some of the abductees later escaped after a heavy rainstorm created confusion among the kidnappers.

The attack has triggered fresh displacement, with many residents fleeing Dangulbi and surrounding communities to seek refuge in safer locations across Tureta, Shagari, Gummi and Bukkuyum local government areas.

Community members have appealed to both the federal and state governments to deploy additional security personnel and improve road infrastructure in the area, arguing that poor access roads often delay emergency responses and expose communities to repeated attacks.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said security agencies were aware of the attack and were working to restore normalcy and contain the situation.

The latest assault adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring states, particularly as farmers prepare for the rainy season.

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