Bandits attack Sokoto community days after troops foiled advance

Suspected bandits have killed residents and abducted several others in Tofa, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, about one week after troops said they intercepted armed men advancing towards another community in the area.

The attackers entered Tofa between Sunday night and the early hours of Monday, shooting residents, abducting others and rustling livestock.

The number of people killed and abducted remained unclear early Tuesday, with conflicting figures reported.

Daily Trust reported that seven people were killed and that 35 residents were initially taken away. It said eight later returned, leaving 27 people in captivity.

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The Punch reported that at least 10 people were killed and between 38 and 40 abducted. The newspaper said the figures had not been independently verified.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the attack but said the command was still compiling details.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Rufai for an updated casualty and abduction figure and was awaiting his response at the time of filing this report.

Daily Trust and The Punch also reported that livestock were rustled during the attack.

Attacks and security operations in Rabah

The Tofa attack follows a series of attacks and security operations in parts of Rabah since June.

On 16 June, PREMIUM TIMES reported that four farmers were killed and at least 12 others abducted while working on farmland around Ghandi District.

In late July, police and soldiers confronted armed men in Maikujera, another Rabah community near the Zamfara boundary.

The police said security personnel responded to a distress call after armed men entered the community with abducted residents and rustled livestock.

The Punch reported that the police said 32 abducted people were rescued during the operation.

During the first weekend of August, PREMIUM TIMES reported that attacks in Ghandi and Maikujera were among incidents in Rabah and Sabon Birni local government areas in which at least 16 people were feared killed.

On 30 August, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, said they intercepted armed men advancing towards Ghandi.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Olaniyi Osoba, a lieutenant colonel, said troops acted on intelligence about the movement of the armed men and deployed around Ghandi Bridge.

The military said the troops engaged the group and forced its members to retreat.

It said an AK-47 rifle, a loaded magazine and additional ammunition were recovered and that search operations continued afterwards.

Also on 30 August, suspected bandits attacked farmers in Ghandi. The Punch reported that the police confirmed eight farmers were killed and five others were injured.

There is no evidence that the armed men intercepted by troops near Ghandi were the same people who attacked Tofa about a week later.

When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES about the military’s response to the Tofa attack, Mr Osoba said he could not provide details over the phone due to operational security requirements.

He invited the reporter to the 8 Division headquarters in Sokoto to discuss the matter in person.

Attacks elsewhere in Sokoto

Other parts of Sokoto State have also come under attack in recent days.

READ ALSO: Eight killed, eight abducted in Zamfara highway attack as police report operations in Katsina, Kebbi

In Kebbe LGA, the police confirmed on 4 September that five people were killed and three were injured during attacks on Girkau and neighbouring communities.

The attacks followed reports that suspected bandits had demanded a ₦40 million levy from residents of Kebbe town and threatened to attack if the money was not paid.

The Tofa attack is the latest reported in Rabah after killings, abductions and security operations documented in Ghandi and Maikujera since June.

The police had yet to provide a final figure for those killed and abducted in Tofa at the time of filing.

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