Sokoto Community Under Siege as Bandits Claim 17 Lives, Loot Shops

A devastating attack by bandits has left the Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State reeling, with at least 17 people confirmed dead. The attack, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw the bandits, who were reportedly in their hundreds and rode into the community on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately and looting shops. Residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the scene as chaotic, with people running in different directions in a desperate bid to escape the hail of bullets. Among the dead were seven visitors who had traveled to the community to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. The bandits, who were believed to have come from Bagega village in Zamfara State, were said to have spent the night in Gizazza village before launching the attack. According to eyewitnesses, the bandits started shooting as soon as they arrived in the community, with residents forced to flee into nearby forests for safety. The attack, which lasted for several hours, also saw the bandits loot about 20 shops before moving on to nearby communities, where several people were abducted. However, the abductees were said to have escaped later in the night after a heavy rainstorm created confusion among their captors. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with many residents fleeing the community and surrounding areas to seek refuge in safer parts of the state. The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the incident, with its spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, saying that security operatives are working to restore normalcy and contain the situation. The attack is the latest in a series of deadly incidents that have plagued communities in the area, raising concerns over the worsening security situation and its potential impact on farming activities ahead of the rainy season.