Bandits Kill Another Sokoto Chief Imam, Two others

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly killed the Chief Imam of Talluje village in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State during an attack on two communities in Danchadi District.

Two other residents were also reportedly killed in the Wednesday attack on Talluje and neighbouring Chofi village, while hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes.

NEWSNGR learnt that the incident brings to three the number of chief imams reportedly killed by bandits in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.

Daily Trust quoted local sources as saying the assailants launched coordinated attacks on the two villages at about 4:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among residents.

The attack reportedly lasted until about 6:00 p.m. before the bandits fled with an unspecified number of rustled livestock.

A community leader in Danchadi said, “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.”

Another resident said the attackers carted away a large number of livestock, although the exact figure could not be immediately confirmed.

The attacks triggered mass displacement as residents, mostly women and children, fled the affected villages on foot.

Many of them were said to have moved 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 added.

Residents said the bandits entered the communities through Duma village, which shares a border with Tureta Local Government Area, riding on motorcycles.

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.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not yet been briefed on the incident.

He, however, promised to make inquiries and provide journalists with an update later, Daily Trust reported.