At least 17 people, including seven visitors who travelled to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, have been killed in a fresh bandit attack on Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday morning, has left residents in shock and forced many villagers to flee their homes amid growing fears over worsening insecurity in parts of the state.
Residents said hundreds of armed bandits riding on motorcycles stormed the community between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among villagers. The attackers also looted shops and reportedly remained in the area for several hours, preventing residents from attending to victims or recovering bodies.
According to local sources, the gunmen were believed to have travelled from Bagega village in neighbouring Zamfara State through Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum Local Government Area before spending the night in Gizazza village ahead of the attack.
An eyewitness who spoke about the incident said the attackers opened fire immediately after entering the community.
“They started shooting as soon as they arrived. People ran in different directions in search of safety, but 17 people lost their lives during the attack,” the resident said.
Those reportedly killed included Munde, Nagoma, Abdullahi, Danbala, Munden Chana, Muhammadu Dan Amo, Hassan, Abubakar Danbaba and Yidi Bafillace, among others.
Residents disclosed that five of the victims had travelled from Adarawa in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while two others came from Gidan Gambo in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir festival with family members and friends.
The deaths of the visitors have added another painful dimension to the tragedy, as many families had gathered to mark one of the most important celebrations in the Muslim calendar before the attack occurred.
According to residents, the bandits remained in Dangulbi until about 7 p.m., creating an atmosphere of fear and making it impossible for villagers to come out of hiding.
The prolonged presence of the attackers delayed the evacuation and burial of victims.
“They stayed until about 7 p.m., making it impossible for anyone to come out. Funeral prayers were eventually conducted after 9:30 p.m. when they left,” a resident said.
Apart from the killings, the attackers reportedly looted about 20 shops in the community, carting away food items, valuables and other goods belonging to traders.
Witnesses said the gunmen later moved through nearby communities, including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji, where several residents were reportedly abducted.
However, sources said some of the abductees managed to escape later in the night after a heavy rainstorm caused confusion among the bandits.
The latest attack has triggered fresh displacement in the area, with many residents abandoning their homes for fear of further violence.
Reports indicated that several families have relocated to safer communities across Tureta, Shagari, Gummi and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas.
Residents expressed concern that repeated attacks are making life increasingly difficult for rural communities that depend heavily on farming and trading for survival.
Many villagers also warned that the growing insecurity could affect farming activities during the rainy season, a period when farmers are expected to begin cultivation.
Agriculture remains the main source of livelihood for most communities in Sokoto and neighbouring Zamfara State. Frequent attacks, kidnappings and killings have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands in recent years, contributing to food shortages and economic hardship.
The North-West region has continued to experience security challenges linked to banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping. Armed groups often operate from forest areas that stretch across several states, launching attacks on villages and travellers before retreating into remote locations.
Despite ongoing military operations and security deployments, many rural communities have continued to complain about inadequate protection and delayed responses during emergencies.
Following the latest attack, residents of Dangulbi and surrounding communities appealed to both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security in the area.
They called for the deployment of additional security personnel and the establishment of more security posts in vulnerable communities.
Residents also highlighted the poor condition of roads linking many rural settlements, arguing that bad roads often slow down the movement of security operatives during attacks.
According to them, improving road infrastructure would help security agencies respond more quickly to distress calls and improve surveillance across affected communities.
Community leaders further urged authorities to take proactive measures to prevent future attacks and restore confidence among residents who now live in constant fear.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly attacks recorded in parts of Sokoto and neighbouring states in recent months. Security analysts have repeatedly warned that continued attacks on rural communities could worsen displacement, disrupt farming activities and deepen humanitarian challenges in the region.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the attack.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said security agencies were aware of the incident and had taken steps to address the situation.
He assured residents that security operatives were working to restore normalcy in the affected area and prevent further attacks.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, residents are hoping for stronger security measures to protect communities from recurring attacks and allow them to return to their normal lives without fear.