No fewer than eight farmers have been killed and five others injured after suspected bandits attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, threw residents into panic as the armed men reportedly stormed the community at about 3:00 p.m. and opened fire on people.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the safety of farmers and residents in parts of Sokoto State, where armed groups have continued to attack communities, abduct residents and disrupt farming activities.
The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack, saying eight farmers were killed while five others sustained gunshot injuries.
Rufai said the command was still gathering information on the incident and would release further details when the investigation was completed.
He said, “Yes, we are aware of the attack, eight farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered.”
A security source also confirmed the attack, saying the bandits arrived in the community in the afternoon and began shooting at residents.
The source said no fewer than eight farmers were killed while at least five others sustained gunshot wounds.
According to the source, the attack may have been carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security agencies during recent operations in the area.
“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” the source said.
The victims were reportedly targeted while residents were going about their activities in the community. The attack caused fear among residents, with many people said to have sought safety after the gunmen began shooting.
The injured victims were said to require medical attention, although details of their condition were not immediately available.
The incident came amid continued security challenges in Sokoto and other states in the North-West, where bandit groups have carried out attacks on rural communities, particularly areas where residents depend largely on farming and livestock for their livelihoods.
Rabah is one of the local government areas in Sokoto affected by insecurity. The area and neighbouring communities have faced threats from armed groups, with farmers often forced to limit their movements or abandon their farms because of fears of attacks.
The insecurity has also affected food production in many rural communities. Farmers who are unable to access their farms during the planting and harvesting seasons face serious financial losses, while reduced agricultural activities can contribute to higher food prices.
For communities already struggling with the rising cost of food and other basic goods, continued attacks on farmers pose an additional challenge.
Security agencies have in recent months stepped up operations against bandits and other armed groups operating across the North-West. Such operations have led to the arrest or killing of some suspected bandits and the recovery of weapons.
However, security sources have often warned that armed groups may retaliate against communities following military or police operations against them.
The allegation that the Ghandi attack was a retaliatory operation has not been independently established, and the police have yet to give a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The police command said it was still gathering information, suggesting that more details about the identities of the attackers, the victims and the events leading to the attack could emerge.
Residents in the affected community and neighbouring areas are expected to remain on alert following the incident.
The latest killings have also raised fresh concerns about the ability of rural residents to continue farming safely. In many parts of the North-West, farmers have complained that insecurity has made it difficult to cultivate their lands, forcing some to stay away from their farms or pay money to armed groups for access.
Sokoto State, like several other states in the region, has continued to face attacks linked to banditry and kidnapping. The violence has displaced residents from some communities and disrupted economic activities.
The Federal Government and security agencies have repeatedly promised to strengthen efforts to protect vulnerable communities and restore peace in affected areas.
The government has also stressed the importance of sustained security operations, intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and local communities in tackling banditry.
The Ghandi attack, however, underscores the continuing danger faced by farmers and other residents in rural areas.
With the farming season critical to food production, residents are expected to look to the security agencies for stronger protection to prevent further attacks and allow them to return to their farms without fear.
For now, the police command has continued to gather information on the incident, while residents mourn the eight farmers killed and pray for the recovery of those who sustained gunshot injuries.