Armed bandits killed at least 11 vigilantes during an attack on Magonho village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday.
The vigilantes were trying to stop the bandits—about 40 of them—who came on 20 motorcycles and were heavily armed. The community members said the bandits opened fire after the vigilantes blocked their path.
A local source said, “At first, only two vigilantes were confirmed dead. But by Saturday, 11 bodies had been recovered from the Lakurawa forest, where the bandits are believed to hide.”
The vigilantes had received information about the bandits and quickly moved to stop them. They succeeded in pushing back the first attack and recovered some stolen animals.
Later, soldiers from the Forward Operating Base in Masallaci joined the operation and continued the chase, also recovering more livestock.
However, the bandits returned, set fire to the community’s MTN communication mast, and fired shots into the air before escaping again into the forest.
Security forces are still searching for more missing vigilantes and trying to recover any remaining bodies.
“Soldiers and other security agencies from Binji and Racca are carrying out a search-and-rescue operation in the Lakurawa forest,” another source added.
The attack has raised more concerns about insecurity in Sokoto, especially in rural areas where vigilantes are often the first to respond before government forces arrive.
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A police spokesperson in Sokoto, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack and the burning of the MTN mast.
He said, “Yes, there was a report of an attack in the area and the setting ablaze of the MTN mast in the community. As for the number of casualties, I cannot confirm the figures for now.”
Meanwhile, a political leader in Osun State, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, called on President Bola Tinubu to go after those funding bandit attacks across Nigeria.
Oyintiloye said, “The people supporting these criminals with food and weapons must be exposed and punished. Until then, it will be difficult for our security forces to win this battle.”
He urged the government to improve intelligence gathering, fight corruption, and work with other countries to block the financial support of violent groups.