Fresh Bandit Attacks Leave 11 Dead in Sokoto as Government Shuts Rural Schools

At least 11 people have been killed in separate bandit attacks on communities in Rabah and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State, as the state government ordered the closure of public schools outside the state capital over worsening insecurity.

The latest violence occurred on Monday in Maikujera village, Rabah LGA, where armed bandits reportedly killed seven people, including two operatives of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps (SCGC). During the same assault, three women were also said to have been killed in nearby Angamba village.

The attack came less than 24 hours after another deadly raid on Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni LGA, where four residents lost their lives and several others sustained injuries.

According to security sources, dozens of armed attackers arrived in Maikujera on more than 30 motorcycles before opening fire on residents and abducting an unspecified number of people.

An SCGC operative, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that two members of the community security outfit were killed while trying to defend the village.

He alleged that the guards were heavily outnumbered and lacked essential operational equipment, claiming they had no armored vehicle and were forced to purchase ammunition with their own money.

A police source said the attackers reportedly crossed into the area from Bakura Local Government Area in neighboring Zamfara State. The assailants allegedly attempted to rustle livestock and opened fire after residents resisted.

Although a military base is located near the affected community, the attackers reportedly escaped into the Bakura forest before security personnel arrived.

In the earlier attack on Unguwan Lalle, residents said around 200 armed bandits, disguised in military uniforms, invaded the community on Sunday night and operated for several hours.

Witnesses said the attackers looted homes and shops, stole livestock, and shot at residents attempting to flee. Some villagers initially believed the gunmen were soldiers because of their uniforms.

The victims of the attack were identified as Bilyaminu Wakkala, Danbaki Tulunawa, and two residents from the nearby Kongurus community.

Residents further claimed the attackers struck shortly after troops who had responded to an earlier security incident left the village.

Reacting to the incidents, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the killing of a farmer in the area but said he had not yet received a full report on the attack in Unguwan Lalle.

Sokoto Closes Schools Outside State Capital

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Sokoto State Government has directed the immediate closure of all public primary and secondary schools located outside Sokoto metropolis.

The directive exempts schools in Sokoto North and Sokoto South Local Government Areas, as well as selected schools in Wamakko, Dange Shuni, and Kware LGAs.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmed Ladan Ala, said the decision followed a Federal Government directive aimed at protecting students and staff amid increasing security threats.

He explained that affected schools would remain closed until further notice.

The closure comes as schools were preparing to begin end-of-term examinations next week during the eleventh week of the third term.

Some teachers said they learned about the directive through the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) rather than through official government communication.

Education stakeholders have expressed concern that an extended shutdown could worsen the growing number of out-of-school children in Sokoto, especially in rural communities already affected by recurring attacks, kidnappings, and displacement.