Bandit Raids Force Thousands from Sokoto Homes, NEMA Reveals

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that recent bandit assaults in the Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State have led to the displacement of thousands of residents, compelling them to abandon their homes in search of safety. This information was released in an official statement posted on NEMA’s X handle on Wednesday, following an assessment conducted by its Sokoto Operations Office on individuals impacted by these incidents.

The agency's evaluation was initiated after a series of attacks by armed bandits on June 7 and 9, 2026, targeting the Dan Gulbi community, which reportedly resulted in several fatalities. NEMA's findings indicated widespread displacement across the affected areas, with numerous inhabitants seeking refuge in public facilities and nearby settlements.

According to NEMA, “Findings from the assessment revealed that the recurring attacks have displaced thousands of residents, forcing them to flee their homes in search of safety.” The agency further detailed that many of these displaced individuals are currently sheltering in Tureta town, specifically at JNI Primary School and Abdulbaki Model Primary School. Others have relocated to Tsamiya Ward, Duma Ward, and various neighboring communities within the Tureta Local Government Area. Additionally, some residents have sought safety in the Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

During the assessment mission, new reports emerged of another attack on the Achi Asha Ruwa community, where more casualties were reportedly recorded. NEMA's report highlighted that "thousands of people have been affected by the violence, with some individuals sustaining varying degrees of injuries." The agency also noted that several shops and means of livelihood were reportedly looted and destroyed during these attacks, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the affected communities.

NEMA acknowledged that accessing some of the impacted communities remains challenging due to persistent security issues, which have hampered humanitarian assessment and response efforts. “The assessment team observed that access to several affected locations remains difficult due to the prevailing security challenges, posing significant constraints to humanitarian assessment and response operations,” NEMA stated. The agency affirmed its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to ascertain the full scope of the damage and to support humanitarian interventions for the affected populations.