Armed bandits launched a deadly attack on Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State, killing at least 15 people and injuring several others.
According to local sources, the assailants stormed Kwallaijiya village in the early hours of Wednesday, opening fire indiscriminately and leaving a trail of death and destruction.
Residents expressed deep concern over the continued violence in the area, alleging that some individuals within the community may be collaborating with terrorist groups responsible for the recurring attacks.
Eyewitnesses claim the latest assault was carried out by a notorious gang of bandits operating in the region, known as Charambe.
Following the attack, the Executive Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Council, Isa Bashir Kalanjeni, led a delegation to the village and attended the mass burial of the victims.
The Sokoto State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement, as repeated attempts to reach the command’s spokesperson were unsuccessful.
Sokoto State, in Nigeria’s North-West region, has seen a resurgence of terrorist violence in recent months, including activities by groups such as Lakurawa, Boko Haram, and ISWAP. The military has vowed to eliminate these threats.
In a related incident in June, an explosion killed eight people in the same Tangaza LGA during Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The blast, caused by a locally made improvised explosive device (IED), occurred in Dorawa near a known bandit enclave, the Lakurawa camp.
Police spokesperson ASP Ahmed Rufai confirmed that the IED detonated as the victims were traveling from Gwabro to Zurmuku, exploding near a security post under a tree — another area troubled by frequent bandit attacks.
An eyewitness, identified simply as Hashimu, recounted that the tragic incident took place on a Sunday afternoon, disrupting what should have been a day of celebration.