Residents Flee Magarau Village in Sabon Birni LGA Following Deadly Night Attack and Widespread Looting in Sokoto community
A community in Sokoto State has been completely deserted after suspected armed bandits carried out a deadly attack that claimed the lives of key traditional and religious leaders.
The attack occurred in Magarau village, located in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where residents said heavily armed assailants stormed the community at night, shooting sporadically and looting homes.
Those killed during the attack included the village head, the Chief Imam, and the leader of the local vigilante group, triggering widespread panic and forcing residents to flee for safety. Several houses were reportedly ransacked, with food items, livestock, and other valuables stolen by the attackers.
Following the incident, inhabitants abandoned their homes and relocated to neighboring communities, leaving Magarau village largely empty. Farmlands and local businesses were deserted as fear of further attacks spread across the area.
Residents expressed concern over the persistent insecurity in the region, accusing security agencies of inadequate response despite repeated appeals for protection. They warned that continued bandit attacks could lead to long-term displacement of rural populations.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks linked to banditry in northwestern Nigeria, where rural communities continue to bear the brunt of worsening insecurity.
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