Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have successfully repelled a deadly night attack by armed bandits on Sabon Garin Kwargaba village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The attack occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2025.
According to security sources, a large group of bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village and began shooting at random, causing panic among residents.
Troops stationed in the area quickly responded and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle that lasted several minutes. The soldiers’ superior firepower forced the bandits to retreat into the nearby forest, leaving behind the bodies of several of their men.
“Several of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” one security source said.
However, the operation was not without casualties. A soldier lost his life during the exchange, while a woman from the village was also hit and killed by a stray bullet. Another soldier who sustained gunshot wounds has been taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) in Sokoto, where he is currently receiving treatment.
In response to the attack, the military has deployed more troops to the area to prevent any follow-up assault and ensure peace in the community.
“Reinforcements have been sent to the area, and our men are currently combing the surrounding bushes in search of the fleeing criminals,” the source added.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Sokoto and other parts of northwestern Nigeria, where armed banditry has remained a major threat to rural communities. Villages in Wurno, Rabah, Goronyo, and surrounding LGAs have faced repeated attacks in recent years, leading to loss of lives, displacement of residents, and disruption of farming activities.
Operation FANSAN YANMA is part of ongoing military efforts to tackle banditry and restore security in the North-West. The Nigerian Army has continued to urge citizens to support security forces with timely information that can help in tracking and arresting criminals.
Authorities have assured residents of Sabon Garin Kwargaba that normalcy is being restored and that the military will remain in the area until peace is fully secured.
