Armed bandits have reportedly killed at least eight farmers and injured five others in a fresh attack on Gandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack occurred on Sunday afternoon and is suspected to be a reprisal following recent security operations in the area, during which several suspected bandits were reportedly killed.
Residents said the attackers stormed the farming community around 3:00 p.m. and opened fire on unsuspecting farmers, sending residents fleeing for safety.
A local source, who spoke anonymously, said the farmers appeared to have been deliberately targeted as part of an alleged revenge mission.
“The bandits came around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting at people. No fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot injuries,” the source said.
The source added that the attack was believed to be connected to the deaths of some members of the bandit group during recent military and security operations.
“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” he said.
The latest incident has heightened concerns among residents of Gandi and neighbouring communities, where farmers remain increasingly vulnerable to armed groups operating in Rabah and surrounding areas.
The attack comes amid intensified security operations against bandit groups in Rabah LGA. Recent clearance operations have reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on the criminal groups and forced some fighters to withdraw from their known hideouts and operational routes.
However, Sunday’s violence highlights the risk that weakened bandit groups could retaliate against rural communities viewed as vulnerable or supportive of government security operations.
The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed that the command was aware of the incident when contacted on Sunday evening, but said officials were still gathering details.
The latest killings are expected to increase pressure on security agencies to sustain operations against bandits while taking additional measures to protect farming communities from possible reprisal attacks.
For residents of Gandi, the attack has further deepened fears over rural insecurity and its impact on farmers whose livelihoods depend on access to their farmlands.