Suspected Lakurawa bandits on Wednesday attacked the Maganho community in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing five persons.

An official of the local government confirmed the incident, saying the attackers also rustled a large number of livestock belonging to residents, most of whom are farmers.

According to the official, “The bandits stormed the community at about 1 pm, riding motorcycles and firing sporadically, resulting in the killing of the victims and the injury of others.

“This attack is not the first time they have come here to attack our people.

“Our local government has now become a target of the Lakurawa bandits and other terrorist activities, making daily life difficult for residents.”

Residents who spoke on the incident called for the urgent deployment of additional security personnel to strengthen existing security measures in the area.

They offered prayers for the repose of the victims and asked that Allah grant their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

The victims were reportedly buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful as his contact was unavailable at the time of filing this report.

However, a senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed the attack, adding that an investigation had commenced.

Lakurawa bandits have emerged as one of the most persistent armed groups operating across parts of Sokoto State, particularly in border communities linking Nigeria with the Niger Republic.

Their activities are concentrated mainly in Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, Sabon Birni and parts of Binji local government areas.

The group is known for launching coordinated attacks on rural communities, typically arriving on motorcycles and targeting villages with limited security presence.

Residents and local authorities have blamed the bandits for killings, mass abductions, cattle rustling, arson and the imposition of illegal levies on farming communities.

In December 2025, the security situation drew international attention after the United States Africa Command carried out airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State.

The strikes, which were conducted on Christmas Day in coordination with Nigerian authorities, were aimed at disrupting armed groups operating in the North-West, including factions linked to cross-border banditry and terrorism.

Despite repeated military offensives by Nigerian security forces and the US-backed airstrikes, attacks on communities in parts of Sokoto State have, however, persisted. (The PUNCH)