Tragedy in Sokoto as bandits attack vehicle, kill all passengers

Bandits have reportedly intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers returning from Sokoto city, killing everyone inside along a road leading to Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

However, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, Sector 2, have rescued four kidnap victims in Zamfara and Kebbi states. The victims were freed during separate operations in the two states.

The exact number of people killed in the attack has yet to be confirmed.

The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, who shared information about the attack and photographs of some of the deceased.

According to the report, some of the victims were reportedly among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited to Sokoto city for further screening and the collection of their documents.

The passengers were said to have been travelling back home when the armed men intercepted their vehicle and opened fire on them.

Although photographs of some of the deceased have circulated following the incident, the total number of victims and their identities have yet to be independently established.

The reported killing also comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on civilians in other parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and banditry.

Weeks ago, at least 15 farmers and firewood gatherers were killed in an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims were reportedly ambushed while carrying out their daily activities around Ala and Musune wards on Wednesday evening.

Local sources said 18 people had gone to the farms, but only 15 bodies were recovered from the scene and buried on Thursday. Three others remained missing as of Friday, with community members continuing efforts to establish their whereabouts.

The Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident although he said details were still sketchy.

“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. 15 people were killed, while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said.

The police spokesperson added that security authorities were gathering further information about the incident and would provide updates as more details became available.

Local sources said the victims were mainly peasant farmers and firewood gatherers who had gone into the surrounding bush to earn a living and provide for their families. They reportedly included young men, married men and elderly residents.

On the other hand, the rescues took place on Wednesday, following sustained military operations against criminal activities.

The spokesman for the 8 Division, Sector 2, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this to our correspondent on Thursday, saying the rescue operations were carried out in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State and between Bena and Sawade in Kebbi State.

Osoba said troops rescued two victims, identified as Mansur Shehu, 25, and Kadijat Haruna, 49, from a farmland in Binoni Marafa, Maru LGA.

“In Zamfara State, troops rescued Mansur Shehu, aged 25, and Kadijat Haruna, aged 49, from a farmland in Binoni Marafa during the operation,” Osoba said.

In Kebbi State, the troops rescued two other victims, Jimoh Su-Arege, 35, and Kalahe Danjuma, 41, between Bena and Sawade.

According to Osoba, the rescue followed reports of suspected terrorists moving with kidnap victims from Dipindu village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

“Following the report, troops moved to the area and successfully rescued the two victims, who were subsequently handed over to the Seriki of Dipindu,” he added.

Osoba said troops had continued to intensify patrols and surveillance across their areas of responsibility to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and prevent further attacks.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly in communities affected by kidnapping and other security threats in the North-West.

The latest rescue operations come amid ongoing military efforts to tackle insecurity and restore peace to vulnerable communities across Zamfara and Kebbi states.