At least four people have been killed and several others injured after bandits dressed in military uniforms attacked Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which began at about 8 p.m. on Sunday, reportedly lasted until around 2 a.m. on Monday.
During the raid, the assailants allegedly looted homes and shops and rustled an unspecified number of livestock.
Residents said the attackers, estimated to be about 200, stormed the community from different directions and initially deceived villagers into believing they were military personnel because they were dressed in military uniforms.
“We thought they were soldiers because they were wearing military uniforms. They surrounded the village, opened fire on anyone trying to escape, ransacked our homes, carted away our livestock and looted goods from our shops,” a resident said.
According to residents, security personnel had earlier responded to the area after bandits allegedly killed a farmer during the day.
They said soldiers arrived in two armoured vehicles and remained in the village until about 8 p.m. before returning to their base.
“The soldiers responded quickly and stayed in the village until about 8 p.m. before returning to their base. Just a few minutes after they left, the bandits came back wearing military uniforms,” another resident said.
The attack reportedly continued for nearly six hours despite the earlier presence of security operatives in the community.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the earlier killing of a farmer in the area but said he had not yet received a briefing on the reported attack on Unguwan Lalle community.
“I have received a report confirming the killing of one person in the area on Sunday. However, I have not yet been briefed about the other reported attack on the community,” he said.
