Father, Two Sons, Others Killed as Bandits Lay Siege to Sokoto Community
At least 12 people have lost their lives after suspected bandits launched a deadly overnight assault on Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with a father, his two sons and several others reportedly trapped and burnt to death.
Residents said the attackers stormed the village at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and remained there until around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, unleashing terror for hours without any reported security intervention.
According to villagers, 11 of the victims were shot dead, while a woman identified as Agada died after collapsing from the shock of the attack.
Witnesses said six of the victims met a horrific end after taking refuge inside a room.
The gunmen allegedly surrounded the building, ordered those inside to surrender and, when they refused, doused the room with petrol before setting it ablaze. Anyone who attempted to escape was reportedly shot.
Those killed in the fire included the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the home.
Another resident, Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while trying to flee the compound, bringing the number of people killed in the household to seven.
Other victims were said to have been gunned down as they fled different parts of the village. Among them were Yusuf and three internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in Lajinge.
A member of the local vigilante group said volunteers were guarding the community near the primary school when the attack began.
“We suddenly heard heavy gunfire and had to run for safety. We kept moving from one hiding place to another as the attackers advanced,” the resident said.
After overwhelming the local vigilantes, the bandits reportedly moved freely through the village, looting livestock from one household after another.
Residents said the attackers later targeted Mallam Wauro’s residence, where they killed him and two of his sons, abducted his two wives and made away with all his cattle.
Although several villagers were reportedly kidnapped, residents said they could not immediately determine the exact number because some of those taken away, particularly children, were later released.
The community also expressed anger over what they described as the absence of security personnel throughout the nearly four-hour attack.
“They remained in the village for hours without anyone coming to our rescue.
They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking as though nothing could stop them,” one resident lamented.
Villagers further alleged that security operatives stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu, both about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
Community leaders said they had repeatedly appealed for a stronger security presence in the area but received no response.
They also recalled that eight residents were killed in a similar attack about three weeks ago.
“We are Nigerians. We voted and expect the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel before more lives are lost,” a resident appealed.
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was unaware of the incident and promised to verify the report after reaching his office.
He had not provided further information as of the time this report was filed.
