Four K!lled As Bandits D!sguised In Military Uniforms Att∆ck Sokoto Community Minutes After Soldiers Left

Four Killed As Bandits Disguised In Military Uniforms Attack Sokoto Community Minutes After Soldiers Left

Residents told Saharareporters that the gunmen exploited their military attire to deceive villagers into believing they were genuine security personnel before launching the deadly assault.

At least four people were killed and several others injured after scores of heavily armed bandits disguised in military uniforms stormed Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, unleashing nearly six hours of terror that residents said began shortly after soldiers withdrew from the area.

The attackers, estimated by residents to be about 200, reportedly invaded the community around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and operated until about 2:00 a.m. on Monday, killing residents, looting homes and shops, and carting away an unspecified number of livestock.

Residents told Saharareporters that the gunmen exploited their military attire to deceive villagers into believing they were genuine security personnel before launching the deadly assault.

“We initially believed they were soldiers because they were dressed in military uniforms. But within moments, they surrounded the village, opened fire on anyone attempting to escape, ransacked our homes, looted our shops and made away with our livestock,” one resident said.

The victims were identified as Bilyaminu Wakkala and Danbaki Tulunawa, while the identities of two other victims from neighbouring Kongurus village were yet to be fully confirmed.

Residents explained that the two victims from Kongurus often spent their nights in Unguwan Lalle because of persistent attacks on their own community, returning home only during the daytime.

Survivors said the attack came less than an hour after soldiers who had responded to an earlier security incident left the village.

According to a resident, troops arrived in two armoured vehicles following the reported killing of a farmer by suspected bandits earlier on Sunday.

“The soldiers responded promptly and remained in the village until about 8:00 p.m. Barely minutes after they departed, the bandits returned, this time dressed as soldiers,” the resident said.

He alleged that the attackers deliberately avoided the main highway, where a military checkpoint was located, and instead infiltrated the community through bush paths before strategically positioning fighters armed with Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs).

“They came in through alternative routes and stationed men carrying RPGs at strategic points. The first person they killed was a motorcyclist. Three others who tried to flee were also shot dead. They repeatedly searched our homes and even threatened to kill my mother when she stepped out of her room,” he recounted.

Repeated calls to the Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, and the lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, were not answered.

However, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, explained that he had only received a report confirming the earlier killing of a farmer and had not yet been officially briefed on the late-night attack in Unguwan Lalle.

“I have received information confirming the killing of one person in the area on Sunday, but I am yet to receive any official briefing regarding the reported attack on the community,” the police spokesperson said.