At least six people were killed on Wednesday night when armed bandits believed to be members of the Lakurawa network attacked Baidi village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The latest assault has deepened fear in rural communities already battling years of violent attacks linked to cross-border bandit groups.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed Baidi around nightfall, firing shots indiscriminately and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes to save their lives. By the time the gunmen left the village, six residents were lying dead, while several others sustained injuries.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack was sudden and brutal.
“They came in the evening and started shooting everywhere. People were running in different directions. Six people were killed before they left,” the resident said.
Baidi village is one of several communities in Tangaza Local Government Area that have come under repeated attacks in recent years. Other local government areas affected by similar violence include Binji, Gudu, and Illela in Sokoto State, as well as border communities in neighbouring Kebbi State.
Residents and local sources say the attacks are often carried out by Lakurawa bandits, a violent group believed to operate across Nigeria’s border with Niger. The group is known for attacking villages, killing residents, demanding levies, and kidnapping people for ransom.
A community source linked the latest violence in Baidi and nearby Sanyinna village to the refusal of residents to comply with alleged directives issued by the bandits.
“This is not the first time they have attacked our village, killed people, and fled,” the source said. “They give orders and expect people to obey them. When communities refuse, they come back with violence.”
The source recalled that the village head of Sanyinna was killed in a similar attack in the past, a development that shocked the area and forced many residents to temporarily abandon their homes.
Following the latest killings, residents of Baidi and surrounding villages have renewed calls for urgent reinforcement of security personnel. They say the existing security presence is not enough to stop the frequent attacks.
“We need soldiers and other security forces here permanently. These people keep coming back because they know no one is stopping them,” another resident said.
Sokoto State, like much of the North West, has faced persistent security challenges over the past decade. Armed banditry, cattle rustling, village raids, and kidnappings have become common, especially in remote rural areas.
In response, the Nigerian military and other security agencies have increased operations in the region. Since late 2025, security forces have shifted toward more targeted, intelligence-led raids aimed at dismantling bandit camps and terror cells rather than relying only on broad patrols.
Military sources say several hideouts linked to bandit groups have been destroyed in recent months, leading to the arrest or killing of some fighters. However, communities say attacks continue, showing that the problem is far from over.
While Sokoto was reeling from the deadly attack, another security incident was reported hundreds of kilometres away in Kogi State. Two members of the same family were reportedly abducted in Ihale-Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as 100-year-old Chief Samuel Fagbemi and his 50-year-old relative, Chief Zacheus Sunday Fagbemi, who is also a member of the local vigilante service.
According to witnesses, the abduction took place on Wednesday at about 4:00 p.m. Armed bandits reportedly arrived in large numbers, riding on more than 20 motorcycles.
“They were many and heavily armed. They came suddenly and overwhelmed everyone,” a community source said.
Residents said the attackers moved swiftly, taking the two men away to an unknown location before help could arrive. Multiple sources in the community confirmed the abduction, describing it as one of the most frightening incidents in recent times.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not officially confirmed the abduction. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Saliu Oyiza, were unsuccessful.
Residents of Ihale-Bunu expressed frustration over what they described as the absence of security personnel in the area. They called for the immediate deployment of security forces to help rescue the abducted men and prevent further attacks.
“This should not be happening, especially when one of the victims is a vigilante member who helps protect the community,” a resident said.
The abduction in Kogi came just two days after the state government launched two security surveillance drones as part of efforts to improve monitoring and response to security threats. The drones, each with a capacity of 2hp 20, were expected to support intelligence gathering and rapid response.
However, residents say technology alone is not enough without adequate personnel on the ground.
Across the North West and parts of the North Central, insecurity has continued to disrupt farming, trade, and daily life. Many villagers are afraid to go to their farms, while others have relocated to safer towns and cities.
The Lakurawa network, in particular, has been blamed for several deadly attacks in Sokoto and Kebbi States. Security sources say the group operates with knowledge of the terrain and often crosses borders to evade arrest.
In recent weeks, the military has announced the destruction of several terror cells and camps linked to bandit groups in the region. These operations, according to security officials, are part of a broader plan to cut off supply routes, destroy hideouts, and weaken the leadership of the groups.
Despite these efforts, residents say more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities like Baidi.
As families mourn the six people killed in the Sokoto attack, community leaders are urging the government to act swiftly to prevent further bloodshed.
“We are tired of burying our people,” a local elder said. “We want peace. We want to live our lives without fear.”