Four people have been confirmed dead, while a soldier has been declared missing after suspected bandits launched a fresh attack on Tudun Bicci community in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the North-West.
The attack, which occurred during a confrontation between security personnel and the armed criminals, also left several suspected bandits dead, while others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
Chairman of Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu Bena, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with journalists on Wednesday.
He explained that contrary to reports circulating on social media that a soldier had been killed during the attack, the four people who lost their lives were two forest guards and two civilians. He added that one soldier who took part in the operation is still missing.
According to Bena, the gun battle broke out after security personnel moved in to confront suspected bandits who had attacked farmers in Tudun Bicci community.
He said security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing many of them to flee into nearby forests.
“Several bandits were neutralised during the operation, while others escaped with bullet wounds,” the council chairman said.
He noted that security agencies were continuing efforts to locate the missing soldier while also tracking down the fleeing bandits.
The latest attack has once again highlighted the growing security challenge facing communities in Danko/Wasagu and other parts of Kebbi State, where farmers and villagers have repeatedly come under attack from heavily armed gangs.
Bena blamed the recurring violence on bandits operating from camps located in neighbouring Zamfara and Niger states.
According to him, the criminals frequently cross into Kebbi through forest routes to carry out attacks on farming communities before returning to their hideouts.
He said the proximity of the local government area to the forests bordering the neighbouring states has continued to make it difficult for security agencies to completely stop the attacks.
The chairman, however, said the Kebbi State Government was working closely with security agencies and the local government to tackle the insecurity.
He disclosed that security operations had been intensified across vulnerable communities, with more efforts being made to protect residents and prevent further attacks.
Bena appealed to members of the public not to panic despite the latest incident.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help identify the movements and hideouts of criminal groups.
According to him, community cooperation remains one of the most effective ways of defeating banditry and restoring peace to affected areas.
He expressed confidence that the ongoing military and security operations would eventually bring lasting peace to Danko/Wasagu and other troubled communities in the state.
Residents of the area have, however, continued to express concern over the repeated attacks on farmers, especially during the farming season.
In many rural communities across Kebbi, farming remains the main source of livelihood, but frequent attacks by armed groups have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands or reduce farming activities out of fear.
Kebbi has experienced a rise in bandit attacks in recent years, particularly in local government areas sharing borders with Zamfara, Niger and Sokoto states.
Although the state was previously considered more peaceful than some neighbouring states, increasing movements of armed groups across state boundaries have exposed several communities to kidnappings, cattle rustling and deadly attacks.
The Federal Government has repeatedly deployed military troops, police tactical teams, civil defence personnel and other security agencies to tackle insecurity across the North-West.
In several operations carried out in recent months, security forces have reported killing suspected bandits, rescuing kidnapped victims and destroying criminal camps hidden inside forests.
Despite these successes, attacks have continued in some communities as armed groups change tactics and move between forests stretching across several states.
Authorities have continued to encourage residents to share intelligence with security agencies, insisting that local information remains vital to ongoing operations against criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, as of the time this report was filed, the Kebbi State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack.
It also remains unclear whether additional security personnel have been deployed to Tudun Bicci and surrounding communities following the incident.
The search for the missing soldier was said to be continuing, while security operatives remain on the trail of the fleeing bandits.