Bandits k!ll eight farmers, injure five in suspected reprisal attack in Sokoto

Armed bandits have killed at least eight farmers and injured five others in a suspected reprisal attack in Gandi community, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack occurred around 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, when the assailants reportedly opened fire on unsuspecting farmers, sending residents fleeing for safety.

A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack was believed to be retaliation for the deaths of several suspected bandits during recent security operations in the area.

“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 circumstances surrounding the attack suggested that the assailants were seeking revenge after some members of their group were reportedly killed by security personnel in recent days.

“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 violence has heightened fears among residents of Gandi and neighbouring communities, where farmers have become increasingly vulnerable to armed groups operating across Rabah and adjoining areas.

The incident comes amid intensified security operations targeting bandit groups in Rabah Local Government Area. Recent clearance operations by security forces reportedly inflicted significant casualties on the criminal groups and forced some fighters to retreat from their hideouts and operational routes.

Sunday’s attack has, however, raised concerns that weakened bandit groups could resort to retaliatory attacks against vulnerable communities in response to mounting pressure from security agencies.

The spokesman 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 details were still being gathered.

The fresh killings have increased calls for security agencies to sustain their offensive against banditry while strengthening protection for farming communities vulnerable to reprisals.

For residents of Gandi, the attack has further deepened fears over rural insecurity and its impact on farmers whose livelihoods depend heavily on access to their farmlands.