{
  "id": 6277448,
  "title": "Terrorists, bandits must not be allowed to dictate Sokoto’s future – Ex-senator",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/terrorists-bandits-must-not-be-allowed-to-dictate-sokotos-future-ex-6277448",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T12:48:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/terrorists-bandits-must-not-be-allowed-to-dictate-sokotos-future-ex-senator/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Former Senator Abdullahi Gobir has expressed support for renewed military operations against terrorists and bandits in Sokoto State. He urged community cooperation to end insecurity in the state, stating that terrorists and bandits must not be allowed to dictate the future of Sokoto's communities.\n\nAccording to Gobir, the people of Sokoto have endured enough and that military force alone cannot end the security crisis without effective intelligence gathering and community cooperation. He commended the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Community Guards Corps for intensifying operations against criminal groups.\n\nIn a recent incident, suspected bandits attacked the Tofa community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing at least ten people and injuring many others. The bandits also abducted dozens of residents, with reports suggesting between 38 and 40 people were taken away. The attack occurred just a week after troops intercepted armed men advancing towards Ghandi, another community in Rabah LGA.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "Bandits attack Sokoto community days after troops foiled advance",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/bandits-attack-sokoto-community-days-after-troops-foiled-advance",
        "published": "2026-09-08T07:15:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Terrorists, bandits must not be allowed to dictate Sokoto’s future – Ex-senator",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/terrorists-bandits-must-not-be-allowed-to-dictate-sokotos-future-ex",
        "published": "2026-09-08T12:14:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}