Bandits have k!lled the Chief Imam of Kuda-Kuda village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The cleric identified as Liman Audu was k!lled alongside three persons, while others were abducted during the attack.
Residents who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said the attackers stormed the village at about 12:58am on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and operated for nearly two hours, shooting sporadically, rustling livestock and causing residents to flee for safety.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the sound of gunfire sent panic across the community as villagers rushed to evacuate their families.
“We were keeping vigil when we suddenly heard gunshots from different directions. We ran home, woke our families and fled towards the outskirts of the village to save our lives, ” he said.
According to him, the attackers went from house to house, abducting residents, mostly married women.
“The three injured victims were shot in the chest and the bullets exited through their backs. As we speak, they have been taken to a hospital in Sokoto, but honestly, we are not optimistic about their chances of survival, ” he added.
The source identified the deceased as Chief Imam Liman Audu, Yahaya Hasanu, Zahara Mu”azu and Ibrahim Dayyabu.
Those abducted were said to include Malam Shehu Farar Zaki, Yar Yamma, Khadija and six others.
Another resident confirmed the k!llings, saying the attackers first invaded the Chief Imam”s residence and k!lled him before confronting three young men and ordering them to follow them into the forest.
“After killing the Imam, they met three youths and asked them to follow them. When the youths refused, the bandits shot and k!lled them on the spot, ” the resident said.
Residents lamented what they described as the lack of security intervention during the attack, noting that Kuda-Kuda community had suffered repeated bandit raids over the years.
One of the residents said the latest incident was the 11th attack on the community, expressing concern over the continued vulnerability of villagers despite repeated appeals for protection.
In a similar development, two police officers have been k!lled during a gun battle with armed bandits in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists.
He identified the deceased officers as Inspector Redmo Ijenwa and Police Constable Nura Muhammad.
He also noted that another officer, PC Abdulrazak Muhammad, sustained gunshot injuries in the attack.
According to him, the officers were part of a joint security team that included troops of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, police operatives, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and members of the Community Guards Corps.
Rufai added that the operation, conducted under Operation Fansan Yamma, successfully thwarted the attackers’ mission, rescued 14 kidnapped victims, and recovered livestock as well as motorcycles.
He described the exercise as part of ongoing security efforts across Nigeria’s North-West aimed at countering banditry and restoring order in affected communities.
