Bandits Disguised as Soldiers Kill Four in Deadly Sokoto Community Attack

At least four people have been killed and several others injured after suspected bandits dressed in military uniforms attacked Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The late-night attack reportedly began around 8 p.m. on Sunday and continued until about 2 a.m. on Monday, during which the attackers looted homes and shops and made away with an unspecified number of livestock.

Residents said the assailants, estimated to be about 200, entered the community from different directions while wearing military uniforms, initially leading many villagers to believe they were security personnel.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers opened fire on residents attempting to flee before ransacking houses, stealing valuables and rustling livestock.

The victims were identified as Bilyaminu Wakkala and Danbaki Tulunawa, while the two other deceased were said to be residents of the nearby Kongurus community.

Residents explained that the two victims from Kongurus had been spending their nights in Unguwan Lalle because of persistent insecurity in their own village.

Witnesses further claimed the attack occurred less than an hour after military personnel who had earlier responded to a separate security incident in the area withdrew from the community.

According to one resident, troops arrived earlier in two armoured vehicles following the reported killing of a farmer by suspected bandits. After remaining in the village for several hours, the soldiers reportedly returned to their base at about 8 p.m.

Shortly afterward, the armed attackers allegedly returned wearing military uniforms and entered the village through alternative routes, avoiding the main road where a military checkpoint was located.

Residents said some of the attackers were positioned at strategic locations while others moved from house to house searching for victims and valuables.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, and the lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the earlier killing of a farmer in the area but said he had not yet received an official briefing on the reported overnight attack on Unguwan Lalle community.

Security agencies are expected to investigate the incident as concerns continue to grow over recurring attacks by armed groups in parts of Sokoto State.