Communities deserted as bandits kill many in Sokoto

No fewer than 15 communities have been deserted following coordinated bandits’ attacks carried out between Sunday and Wednesday in Tureta and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State. Residents told Daily Trust that at least 52 people were killed in the attacks, including 46 in Tureta LGA communities and six others in Sabon Birni […]

No fewer than 15 communities have been deserted following coordinated bandits’ attacks carried out between Sunday and Wednesday in Tureta and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State.

Residents told Daily Trust that at least 52 people were killed in the attacks, including 46 in Tureta LGA communities and six others in Sabon Birni LGA, while hundreds of residents were displaced and dozens of houses destroyed.

Residents of Dan Gulbi community in Tureta LGA said the violence began on Sunday when heavily armed bandits stormed the area, killing residents and forcing many families to flee.

The attackers were said to have returned on Tuesday, launching fresh assaults on Dan Gulbi, Dansanberu, Baga, Jandutsi and neighbouring settlements, leaving more casualties, burning houses and forcing more residents to abandon their homes.

A resident of Dan Gulbi, who pleaded to be anonymous for security reasons, told Daily Trust that more than 10 people were killed in the village, while another 10 people were reportedly killed in nearby Dansanberu. He added that five people were killed in Baga, while two others lost their lives in Jandutsi.

According to him, the repeated attacks triggered mass displacement across the area as residents abandoned their homes and sought refuge in safer locations.

He listed the deserted communities in Tureta LGA as Dan Gulbi, Dansanberu, Jandutsi, Baga, Barayar Giwa, Birisawa, Mallanje and Ketare.

“These villages are practically empty. People only return briefly to pick food items before going back to where they are taking refuge,” he said.

The source said displaced residents from the affected communities are currently taking shelter in Tureta town, Gummi, Gamo, Wawar Icce, Helhendu, Jabaka and Goshe.

He said seven victims had so far been recovered and buried according to Islamic rites, while several other bodies were still believed to be lying in surrounding forests due to insecurity.

“We have buried seven people so far, but there are still bodies in the bush. We were unable to retrieve them because of fear. We have heard that security personnel have been deployed to help recover the remaining corpses,” he said.

He said at least 46 people had been killed across the affected Tureta communities within 48 hours, although the death toll could rise if more bodies are recovered from remote locations.

He said five persons sustained gunshot injuries during the attacks, with three receiving treatment at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Wamakko, while two others were admitted at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto. One of the victims has since been discharged.

The resident said Dan Gulbi alone had a population of over 1,500 people, but fewer than 10 residents currently remain in the village.

“Even those remaining do not sleep in the village. They spend most of their time hiding in the bush and only return occasionally,” he said.

He disclosed that more than 500 displaced residents from Dan Gulbi were currently taking shelter in Gummi town of neighbouring Zamfara State alone.

Another source further said bandits burnt dozens of houses during the attacks, leaving many families without shelter.

He estimated that about 80 houses were destroyed across the affected villages.

“I lost everything. My shop was burnt down, while some residents lost properties worth millions of naira. One individual alone lost goods valued at about N7 million,” he said.

Appealing for government intervention, he said the community urgently needed improved road infrastructure and a stronger security presence.

“If we had a good road, injured victims could quickly be taken to the hospital, and lives would be saved. We are pleading with the government to come to our aid,” he said.

One of the injured victims receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, said he was working on his farm when the attackers struck.

“We were planting when we suddenly saw more than 100 motorcycles carrying heavily armed bandits. People were being shot and killed. I tried to escape, but they pursued me and shot me in both hands,” he said.

The victim said he underwent surgery on Thursday and was responding well to treatment.

“I saw many people being killed before my eyes. Even today, someone who visited me said villagers believe the number of those killed could be much higher than what has so far been confirmed,” he added.

He appealed to the government to strengthen security in the area to enable displaced residents to return to their homes.

Meanwhile, residents of Gangara and Dantasakko communities in Sabon Birni LGA said at least six people were killed in separate attacks carried out between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Locals said many fled on Wednesday following the killing of 3 persons each at Dantasakko and Gangara villages on Tuesday, and the abduction of seven married women around 2am on Wednesday.

A resident, who requested anonymity, said the attackers stormed the communities at about 5pm on Tuesday, killing residents and setting two vehicles and four motorcycles ablaze.

He said the communities had enjoyed relative peace for about four months before the latest attacks.

“When there is no water in the river, security personnel patrol the area regularly. But once the river is flooded, security operatives find it difficult to access the communities, giving bandits the opportunity to attack,” he said.

The resident further alleged that after the initial attack, the bandits returned later in the night and abducted seven married women.

He added that five other residents had earlier been kidnapped and that their families were preparing to pay a N4 million ransom before the latest attacks occurred.

According to him, residents fled through difficult routes, crossing the river before reaching the major road as they escaped to Isa, Sabon Birni, Sokoto town, neighbouring Niger State and the Niger Republic.

The residents also alleged that security personnel previously deployed to the area had been withdrawn, a development they blamed for the resurgence of attacks.

A displaced resident of Gangara, currently taking refuge in Isa town, said seven communities had recently been deserted following the attacks.

He identified the affected communities as Gangara, Dantasakko, Kube, Garin Idi, Rigo, Shadawa and Makwarruwa.

He said some of the communities, including Shadawa and Makwarruwa, had remained deserted for more than two years, while others were abandoned following the latest attacks.

He also alleged that bandits attacked Gamji and Dankaka communities on Thursday, forcing more residents to flee.

A religious leader in Gangara community, who is currently displaced, said residents fled to save their lives following repeated attacks.

“Our entire community has been displaced. We had no option but to leave because of the constant attacks. Several neighbouring villages have also been abandoned,” he said.

He expressed concern over the withdrawal of security personnel from parts of the area, which residents blamed for the resurgence of attacks.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said a joint team of police and military personnel had been deployed to the affected communities in Tureta.

“We deployed security personnel to the affected areas early this morning (Thursday). However, they were still on operation as at the time we spoke, and we are yet to receive a comprehensive report from them,” he said.

He said he would contact the DPO of Sabon Birni for the update on the displaced communities in the local government area.