A deadly attack has rocked Sabiyo Village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving four residents dead and one injured, in what locals fear is part of a growing pattern of rural violence tied to agricultural cycles.
According to security sources who spoke with Zagazola Makama, the attackers, suspected to be members of the notorious Lakurawa bandit group, launched the assault armed with sophisticated weapons.
The gunmen were reportedly both on foot and riding motorcycles when they ambushed two farmers on their farmland.
One of the victims, Aminu Sama’ila, was shot in the neck and chest but survived the attack. He is currently receiving treatment. His brother, Usman Sama’ila, was also targeted but has been missing since the incident. A search effort is currently underway.
Following the ambush, the gunmen proceeded into the heart of Sabiyo Village, where they opened fire and killed four people on the spot.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the method and target closely mirror earlier attacks attributed to Lakurawa bandits, who are known for targeting agrarian settlements during the farming season.
Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma, alongside police tactical teams and community security guards, have launched a coordinated manhunt for the assailants.
The pursuit spans bush paths and border territories between Nigeria and the Niger Republic, where bandits are known to move freely.
The incident has heightened concerns about food security and displacement, particularly across Sokoto’s already-vulnerable border communities.
Efforts to reach local officials for further comment were ongoing when filing this report.
