Bandits Kill 17, Loot Shops in Sokoto Community Raid

At least 17 people, including Eid-el-Kabir visitors, were killed when heavily armed bandits attacked Dangulbi community in Sokoto State, looting shops and forcing residents to flee.

No fewer than 17 people were reportedly killed after armed bandits invaded Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State, unleashing hours of violence that left residents displaced and properties looted.

According to residents, the attackers, who arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, stormed the community on Sunday morning and immediately began shooting indiscriminately, causing panic as villagers fled into nearby forests for safety.

Local sources said the assailants were suspected to have travelled from Bagega village in Zamfara State through Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum Local Government Area before spending the night in Gizazza village ahead of the attack.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen entered Dangulbi between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., opening fire on residents and killing at least 17 people during the raid.

Among the victims were community members and visitors who had travelled to the area for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. Residents disclosed that five of those killed came from Adarawa in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while two others had arrived from Gidan Gambo in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Witnesses said the bandits remained in the community for several hours, preventing residents from retrieving the bodies of victims or conducting burials until late in the evening. Funeral prayers were eventually held after the attackers left the area around 7 p.m.

The attackers were also accused of looting about 20 shops before moving through neighbouring communities, including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji, where several residents were reportedly abducted. However, sources said the victims later escaped after a heavy rainstorm disrupted the movement of their captors.

The attack has forced many residents to flee Dangulbi and surrounding communities, seeking refuge in safer locations across Tureta, Shagari, Gummi and Bukkuyum local government areas.

Residents called on federal and state authorities to strengthen security presence in the area and improve road infrastructure, arguing that poor road networks continue to hinder rapid security responses.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said security operatives were working to restore normalcy and contain the situation.