Five people have been confirmed dead, and nine women kidnapped after suspected bandits attacked Bargaje community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday night.
The attackers, believed to be members of a gang led by notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji, reportedly stormed the area on motorcycles, firing shots and setting houses ablaze. The invasion, which lasted for several hours, caused residents to flee into surrounding bushes for safety.
A local resident said the bandits arrived unexpectedly from the eastern axis of the community. “They caught us off guard. The vigilantes tried to fight back but were overpowered,” he recounted.
Although the police have not released an official statement, a senior officer confirmed the attack but declined to provide specific casualty details. Efforts to reach the Sokoto Police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful.
In response to the incident, the Isa Local Government Council denied social media claims that its chairman, Sharehu Kamarawa, ignored intelligence reports before the attack. The council described such allegations as “false and aimed at tarnishing the chairman’s image.”
The council explained that local vigilantes and security agencies were alerted immediately after receiving intelligence, but the assailants changed their route to avoid interception. It added that the local security commander responsible for the area has been replaced to enhance coordination.
Kamarawa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that the council continues to provide logistics, fuel, and welfare support to both official and community security teams.
He appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information that could disrupt intelligence gathering or discourage security personnel.
“Security is a shared duty,” he said. “We must stay united, vigilant, and focus on credible information — not false claims that weaken our security efforts.”
