At least four people have been killed and several others injured after armed men dressed in military uniforms attacked Unguwan Lalle community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack reportedly began around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and continued until about 2:00 a.m. on Monday, with the assailants looting homes and shops while rustling an unspecified number of livestock.
Residents said the attackers, estimated to be about 200, stormed the community from different directions, initially deceiving villagers into believing they were genuine security personnel because of their military attire.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen opened fire on residents attempting to flee, ransacked houses, carted away valuables and livestock, and left several people injured during the six-hour assault.
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A resident disclosed that soldiers had earlier responded to the area after a farmer was reportedly killed by bandits during the day. The troops, who arrived in two armoured vehicles, remained in the community until about 8:00 p.m. before returning to their base.
“Just a few minutes after the soldiers left, the bandits returned wearing military uniforms and launched the attack,” the resident said.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the earlier killing of a farmer but said he had not yet received an official report on the larger attack on the community.
Authorities are yet to provide further details on the incident as residents continue to count their losses following the deadly raid.
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