A devastating attack by bandits has left eight farmers dead and over 1,260 livestock stolen in the Gudu local government area of Sokoto State.
The bandits, believed to have crossed into Nigeria from Mali, targeted farmers working in their fields on Friday.
According to Alhaji Umar Maikano Balle, Sole Administrator of the local government, the bandits initially attempted to vandalize an oil pipeline in the town of Mantsaika but were thwarted by Nigerien security forces.
The bandits then retreated towards Gudu, where they launched a deadly assault on villagers, killing eight farmers and making off with 260 cows, 1,000 sheep, and goats.
Balle revealed the details of the attack during an interview on the VOA Hausa Service’s “Tubalin Tsaro” program. The incident has sparked concerns about the growing threat of cross-border banditry in the region.
“We received the information on their arrival at a forest in Gudu area on Thursday, and immediately informed the security personnel to be on the alert and work on the intelligence.
“The bandits also attacked Karfen Sarki village on Wednesday night and killed eight farmers, five among the victims were members of the Sokoto Community Guards while the three persons are villagers from Gudu community.
“The security personnel pursuing them on receiving information of the attacked village called China, but it was difficult due to the heavy rainfall in the area at that time. The security vehicle got stuck in the mud, which made the bandits escape.
“The bandits attacking people in the Gudu local government area are from Mali and this is not the first time, as similar attacks have occurred in the past,” Ballet narrated.
He also stressed that the bandits have been rustling livestock due to the porous Niger Republic cross borders aiding in attacking some communities.
The Chairman further stated that the bandits were also involved in jihadist activities and terrorising the community.
