Bandits in military uniforms kill four, injure several in Sokoto attack

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

The attack reportedly began at about 8 p.m. on Sunday and lasted until around 2 a.m. on Monday, with the assailants looting homes and shops and rustling an unspecified number of livestock.

According to report, residents said the attackers operated in the community for nearly six hours despite the presence of security personnel earlier in the day.

Witnesses said the heavily armed bandits, estimated to number about 200, invaded the community from different directions while wearing military uniforms, initially misleading residents into believing they were genuine security operatives.

“We thought they were soldiers because they were wearing military uniforms. They surrounded the village, opened fire on anyone trying to escape, ransacked our homes, carted away our livestock and looted goods from our shops,” a resident said.

Another resident disclosed that soldiers had earlier arrived in the community in two armoured vehicles after bandits allegedly killed a farmer earlier on Sunday.

“The soldiers responded quickly and stayed in the village until about 8 p.m. before returning to their base. Just a few minutes after they left, the bandits came back wearing military uniforms,” the resident said.

The residents said the attackers took advantage of the soldiers’ departure to launch the deadly raid, during which several people were injured while properties and livestock were stolen.

Reacting to the incident, 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 details of the reported attack on the community.

“I have received a report confirming the killing of one person in the area on Sunday. However, I have not yet been briefed about the other reported attack on the community,” the police spokesperson said.