Sokoto Bandit Attack: 5 Farmers Killed, 5 Injured in Suspected Reprisal

Five farmers have been killed and five others injured after suspected bandits attacked two communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack occurred on Sunday morning, August 30, 2026, barely two days after security operatives reportedly killed 15 suspected bandits during an operation in the area.

A security source said the latest incident was believed to be a reprisal attack following the security operation against the bandits.

According to the source, the attackers stormed Ghandi and Gidan Kare communities between 7am and 8am as farmers were heading to their farms.

“Three farmers were killed at Ghandi, while two others were killed at Gidan Kare, where the attackers also set some houses ablaze,” the source said.

The source added that five other residents sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

“We suspect it was a reprisal attack following the last operation by security operatives, which led to the killing of 15 bandits at Maikujera,” the source said.

Security personnel were subsequently deployed to the affected communities, but the attackers had fled before the operatives arrived.

“We went to the area, but we could not get them because they had left before our arrival,” the source added.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident.

“I have not been briefed yet. Let me get the details and get back to you,” he said.

However, he had not provided further information as of the time of filing this report.