Bandits kill four farmers, abduct 12 others in Sokoto

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

The attack occurred on Tuesday while the victims were working on farmlands located on the outskirts of the community.

Confirming the incident, a resident of Gandi, Malam Tukur Muhammad, said the attack took place on his farmland, which he had stopped cultivating due to persistent insecurity in the area.

“It was my farmland where the attack occurred. Because the land is located on the outskirts of Gandi, I abandoned farming there. However, some of my relatives sought permission to use the land, and I granted it,” he said.

According to Muhammad, the farmers were working on the land at about 11 a.m. when armed bandits stormed the area.

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

Another resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack may have occurred earlier, around 9 a.m., but was not discovered by community members until about 11 a.m.

“We are living in constant fear because no one is safe in the eastern part of Sokoto State,” the resident lamented.

A member of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, who also requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that 12 abducted victims had so far been identified.

“We have just returned from the scene of the attack. Four farmers were killed, while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

“So far, we have identified 12 persons who were abducted by the bandits,” he said.

However, another security source disclosed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gandi successfully rescued seven of the kidnapped victims and recovered two motorcycles during an engagement with the armed bandits.

According to the source, the troops responded swiftly to the attack, forcing the assailants to retreat and enabling the safe rescue of the victims. One civilian sustained a gunshot wound during the exchange and was immediately evacuated to Gandi General Hospital for treatment.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was not yet aware of the incident but promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area for further details.

The latest attack underscores the persistent insecurity facing communities in eastern Sokoto State, where residents continue to grapple with frequent attacks, killings, and kidnappings by armed groups despite ongoing security operations.

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