Four Farmers Killed, 12 Abducted as Bandits Attack Sokoto Community

Suspected bandits have killed four farmers and abducted at least 12 others in a daylight attack on Ghandi District in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday while the victims were working on farmlands located on the outskirts of the community, worsening security concerns in the eastern part of the state.

A resident, Malam Ibrahim Umar Ghandi, who confirmed the attack, said the incident happened close to his farmland, which he had abandoned due to repeated security threats in the area.

He explained that some of his relatives had sought permission to cultivate the land despite the risks and were using the farmland when the attackers struck.

“It was close to my farmland where the attack occurred. Because the land is located on the outskirts of Ghandi, I stopped cultivating it. However, some of my relatives sought my permission to use the land, which I granted,” he said.

According to Umar, the farmers were working around 11am when armed assailants stormed the area and opened fire.

“They were on the farm around 11 a.m. when the bandits attacked. They shot four of the farmers dead and abducted several others who were working in the area,” he stated.

Another resident, Muhammed Sani, said there were conflicting reports about the timing of the attack, suggesting it may have occurred earlier than initially reported.

He lamented the growing insecurity in the region, saying residents had continued to live in fear because of repeated attacks by armed groups.

A member of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 12 people had so far been identified as victims of abduction.

“We have just returned from the scene. Four farmers were killed, while one other person sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital,” the source said.

The latest incident comes amid ongoing military operations by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies across Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states.

Despite these operations, communities in Rabah, Sabon Birni, Goronyo and Isa local government areas continue to face attacks, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

The attacks have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, raising concerns over agricultural activities during the rainy season.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was yet to receive details of the incident but promised to contact the relevant division for further information.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not released an official statement on the attack or rescue efforts for the abducted victims.