A bandit attack on Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area, Sokoto State, left at least 17 people dead on June 1, 2026. The assault occurred two days after a previous attack in the same area, according to reports.
Residents said hundreds of gunmen on motorcycles invaded the community between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., opening fire on villagers, looting shops, and forcing people to flee into nearby forests. The attackers reportedly remained in the area until about 7 p.m., making it impossible for anyone to come out. Funeral prayers were held after 9:30 p.m. when they left.
Among the dead were seven visitors who had travelled home for Eid-el-Kabir celebrations. The gunmen also looted about 20 shops and abducted people in nearby communities including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji. Some abductees later escaped during a heavy rainstorm.
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Many residents have fled Dangulbi and surrounding communities to Tureta, Shagari, Gummi, and Bukkuyum LGAs. Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai confirmed awareness of the incident and said operatives were working to restore normalcy.
Amnesty International condemned the attack and called on Nigerian authorities to investigate, bring those responsible to justice, and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.
The incident is part of ongoing insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, where bandit groups and jihadist-linked militants have carried out repeated attacks in Sokoto and Zamfara states. Security experts link some of the violence to cross-border movements of armed groups from the Sahel.
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