No fewer than eight farmers have been killed, while five others sustained gunshot injuries after armed bandits attacked the Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Sunday afternoon.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 3:00 p.m., shooting at residents and farmers before fleeing the area.
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday evening.
Rufai said the command was aware of the incident, adding that further details would be provided as the situation was being assessed.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack appeared to be a reprisal following recent operations by security agencies against the bandits.
“The bandits stormed the community around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting. Eight farmers were killed, while about five others sustained gunshot wounds,” the source said.
He added that the attackers were believed to have targeted the community in retaliation for the killing of some members of their group by security forces in recent days.
“This attack was likely a retaliatory one because some members of the group were killed by security agencies during operations in the area,” he said.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Ghandi and surrounding communities, with concerns over the safety of farmers and other residents amid renewed attacks by armed groups in parts of Sokoto State.
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