A wave of violence has rocked Sokoto State once again as suspected Lakurawa bandits launched a deadly attack on the Sanyinna community in Tangaza Local Government Area (LGA), killing three fishermen in the early hours of Tuesday. This tragic incident is the latest in a string of violent assaults that have plagued communities in northern Nigeria, leaving residents in fear and local leaders calling for urgent action from the authorities.
The fishermen were going about their usual business on the water when they were ambushed and killed by the bandits, who targeted them in a cold-blooded attack. Local sources say the victims were not expecting any danger while they engaged in their routine fishing activities. The attackers, believed to be part of the notorious Lakurawa bandit group, left the community reeling from the shock of the killings.
The attack on Sanyinna came just a day after similar raids were carried out in Sutti and Takkau villages, which are also within the Tangaza LGA. On Monday, the bandits wreaked havoc in both villages, shooting two residents who sustained gunshot wounds during the raids. This series of violent acts has left the entire local government area on edge, with fears that the violence may spread to other nearby communities.
Garzali Raka, the Special Assistant on Security to the Tangaza Council Chairman, confirmed the attacks, expressing concern about the growing insecurity in the region. He revealed that the assailants not only killed the fishermen but also looted livestock, including cows, camels, sheep, and goats during the raids on Sutti and Takkau villages. This pattern of looting is not new, as bandits often target rural communities for their livestock, which are seen as valuable resources for trade or consumption.
“The bandits took away a significant number of livestock,” Raka said. “But thanks to the prompt action of security forces, the stolen animals were later recovered in the Siddi community after a gunfight with the assailants.”
While security forces managed to recover the stolen animals, the damage done by the attacks has been significant. Two residents who sustained gunshot wounds in the raids are currently receiving medical treatment at Tangaza General Hospital, according to Raka. The ongoing violence has left the residents of Tangaza LGA worried about their safety, as the attacks have become more frequent and brutal.
Sokoto State, like many other northern Nigerian states, has been grappling with a surge in banditry over the past few years. Bandits, who often operate in small, armed groups, have terrorized rural communities, raiding villages, killing innocent people, and looting livestock. The attacks have caused widespread fear and disrupted daily life, especially for farmers and herders who rely on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods.
The violence has intensified in recent months, with many residents expressing concern that the government has been slow to respond to the growing insecurity. In Tangaza LGA, where the recent attacks occurred, many residents depend on fishing and animal husbandry as their primary sources of income. When these industries are disrupted by violent attacks, entire communities suffer, and the local economy grinds to a halt.
Raka pointed out that the growing number of daylight attacks is particularly concerning. “These attacks are becoming bolder, and they are now happening in broad daylight. This is not just about stealing livestock; it’s about undermining the very fabric of our communities. People can no longer carry out their daily activities in peace,” he said.
The local government and community leaders have been calling on both the state and federal authorities to take more decisive action to address the issue of banditry. They have urged the government to increase the presence of security forces in the region, particularly in rural areas where the bandits are known to operate. Additionally, local leaders are pushing for more robust measures to protect vulnerable communities and restore a sense of security.
The attacks in Tangaza LGA and surrounding areas highlight the urgent need for more effective security measures in Sokoto State. While security agencies have responded to some of the raids, local leaders like Raka are stressing that a long-term solution is needed to address the root causes of the violence.
“There can be no sustainable development in an environment where people live in constant fear,” Raka said. “We need peace and security to move forward. If this insecurity continues, our ability to develop and grow as a community will be severely limited.”
Raka’s call for peace is echoed by many residents of Sokoto State, who have been living in the shadow of banditry for far too long. Communities in the region are facing the dual challenge of insecurity and economic hardship, and many fear that without immediate intervention, the situation will only worsen.
In response to the recent violence, the Sokoto State Police Command has assured the public that they are actively pursuing the bandits responsible for the attacks. DSP Ahmed Rufai, the spokesperson for the police command, confirmed the incidents in Tangaza LGA and reiterated the police’s commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“We are fully aware of the recent attacks, and we are doing everything we can to track down the bandits involved,” Rufai said. “The security agencies are working around the clock to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are arrested and brought to justice.”
The police have also appealed to the public for assistance, urging residents to provide any information that could help in the identification and capture of the bandits. However, many residents are skeptical about the ability of the security forces to stop the banditry, given the persistent nature of the attacks and the large swathes of territory the bandits control.
The situation in Sokoto State is part of a broader crisis facing northern Nigeria, where insecurity has become a serious challenge to both local development and national stability. Banditry, alongside other forms of violent crime such as kidnappings and armed robbery, has led to the displacement of thousands of people and disrupted the lives of many others.
The Nigerian government, at both the federal and state levels, has struggled to contain the growing wave of violence in the north. While security forces have conducted numerous operations to flush out bandits from their strongholds, the lack of adequate resources, intelligence-sharing, and coordination between different security agencies has hampered efforts to achieve lasting peace.
As the people of Sokoto State continue to live under the threat of banditry, they are calling for stronger government action, better security infrastructure, and a renewed commitment to restoring peace and order in the region. The residents are not only seeking justice for the victims of the recent attacks but also calling for the protection of their communities, so they can go about their lives without fear.
The deadly attacks in Tangaza LGA have served as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by bandits in northern Nigeria. Until the government can address the root causes of the violence and provide effective security, communities like Sanyinna, Sutti, and Takkau will continue to face the devastating consequences of unchecked banditry.
