Bandits kill Chief Imam, two others in Sokoto

The Chief Imam of Talluje village in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State was reportedly killed on Wednesday after bandits attacked Talluje and neighbouring Chofi village, leaving two other residents dead and forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.

The attack, which began at about 4:00 p.m., targeted the two communities in Danchadi District and lasted for nearly two hours.

The incident brings to three the number of Chief Imams reportedly killed by bandits in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.

Local sources told our correspondent that the assailants launched coordinated attacks on both communities simultaneously, shooting indiscriminately before fleeing with an unspecified number of rustled livestock.

“The attacks started around 4:00 p.m. and continued until about 6:00 p.m. The bandits killed the Chief Imam of Talluje and two other persons whose identities have yet to be confirmed,” a community leader in Danchadi said.

He added that the attacks triggered mass displacement, with residents, mostly women and children, fleeing on foot to safer areas in Danchadi and Bodinga town.

“As I speak, many people are arriving in our communities carrying their belongings after escaping from the affected villages,” the source said.

Another resident confirmed that the attackers also rustled a large number of livestock, although the exact figure could not be immediately verified.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack and the killing of the Chief Imam.

“We have received reports of the attack and have mobilized our anti-kidnapping unit to the area because there are fears the bandits may return,” the officer said.

According to residents, the attackers entered the communities through Duma village, which shares a border with Tureta Local Government Area, riding on motorcycles.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident but promised to make inquiries and provide an update.