Schools shut as bandits kill 11 in fresh Sokoto attacks 

At least 11 people have been killed in separate bandit attacks on communities in Rabah and Sabon Birni local government areas of Sokoto State, deepening concerns over the worsening security situation in the region.

The latest attack occurred on Monday in Maikujera village, Rabah LGA, where seven people lost their lives, including two operatives of the Sokoto Community Guard Corps (SCGC).

Three women were also killed in nearby Angamba village during the assault.

The incident came less than 24 hours after suspected bandits, reportedly dressed in military uniforms, attacked Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni LGA, killing four residents and leaving several others injured.

According to security sources, the attackers stormed Maikujera on more than 30 motorcycles at about 2:30 p.m., opening fire on residents and abducting an unspecified number of people.

An SCGC operative confirmed that two members of the corps were killed while attempting to defend the community.

“We rushed to protect the residents, but the attackers were too many. They arrived on more than 30 motorcycles and overwhelmed our men,” the operative said.

He further alleged that community guards were operating under difficult conditions due to inadequate logistics, including a lack of armoured vehicles and insufficient ammunition.

According to Daily Trust, a police source said “the attackers were believed to have entered the area from Bakura in neighbouring Zamfara State”.

The bandits allegedly attempted to rustle livestock and began shooting when residents resisted, although a military base is located near the community, security personnel reportedly arrived after the attackers had escaped into the Bakura forest.

In the earlier attack on Unguwan Lalle, residents said about 200 heavily armed bandits wearing military uniforms invaded the village around 8 p.m. on Sunday and operated for nearly six hours.

Residents said the gunmen looted homes and shops, rustled livestock and shot at villagers attempting to flee.

“We thought they were soldiers because of their uniforms. They surrounded the village, opened fire and carted away our belongings and livestock,” one resident recounted.

The victims were identified as Bilyaminu Wakkala and Danbaki Tulunawa, while the identities of the other two victims were linked to nearby Kongurus village. Residents also claimed the attackers struck less than an hour after troops who had responded to an earlier security incident withdrew from the community.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the killing of a farmer in the area but said details of the Unguwan Lalle attack were still being verified.

Sokoto Government Orders Closure of Schools Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government has ordered the closure of all public primary and secondary schools outside the state capital due to the deteriorating security situation.

The directive, which took effect on Monday, exempts schools in Sokoto North and Sokoto South LGAs, as well as selected schools in Wamakko, Dange Shuni and Kware.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ahmed Ladan Ala, said the decision followed a Federal Government directive aimed at protecting students and staff amid rising insecurity.

As a result, all affected public schools across the state will remain closed until further notice.

The closure comes as schools enter the final weeks of the third term and prepare for end-of-term examinations scheduled for next week.