Several bandits feared killed in Sokoto

On Wednesday, a group of bandits were reportedly killed as security forces thwarted their attempt to attack Sifawa town in Sokoto State. Sifawa is the birthplace of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya and the Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Barrister Bello Sifawa. The bandits reportedly launched the attack around 10am, targeting the military barracks in Sifawa.

A resident confirmed the attack, stating that the bandits came from Horo, a village in Shagari Local Government Area, and fought for hours against the soldiers and police stationed in the area. Two soldiers were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. The resident believes several bandits were killed during the encounter, while others fled through the millet farms surrounding the town.

Dr Abubakar Boyi, President of the Sifawa Development Forum, confirmed the attack and suggested that the attackers may have been targeting displaced villagers who had brought livestock to Sifawa. According to a security source, the military barracks was the primary target, but the attackers were overpowered by the security forces.

An air operation is currently underway in the surrounding bushes where the fleeing bandits are believed to have taken refuge, with the aim of killing or capturing the remaining members of the group.

The attack disrupted traffic on the Sifawa-Birnin Kebbi road, with motorists stranded for hours as security personnel responded to the incident. A motorist stated that he and other travelers had to abandon their journey after the road was temporarily blocked due to the sound of gunshots. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the security authorities regarding the number of casualties among the attackers or the security personnel involved.