By: Odeh Favour
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed an attack by bandits on several communities in the Shagari Local Government Area of the state, during which a police inspector was reportedly killed.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, explaining that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari had already briefed the command on the situation.
Rufai noted that the command was still actively gathering details to fully establish what transpired during the invasion and to determine the exact casualties recorded.
He said, “I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government.”
He added, “We are still on it. I cannot give details now until I gather my information about the incident. I will get back to you on it.”
The confirmation followed earlier reports of movement by armed bandits across farmlands and communities in the area, with the attackers moving heavily towards Sanyin Nawal village.
Prior to the official police statement, a resident of Sanyin Nawal, Hassan Sahabi, raised an alarm in a social media post, desperately calling for prayers as the armed men swept through the village.
He wrote, “We are seeking for your prayers to God for His protection. Bandits are currently in my community in Sanyin Nawal. Please pray for us.”
According to a separate account of the invasion, the bandits moved around the Shagari farmlands in the morning before heading towards Sanyin Nawal.
Upon arriving in the village, they reportedly mounted barricades, stopped vehicles, and robbed travellers of their valuables.
The bandits were also said to have spent considerable time around a nearby pond, where they reportedly ate food and drank Maltina.
Before advancing to surrounding villages, the gang set a motorcycle ablaze.
The account further revealed that while returning in the evening around Maghrib, the bandits encountered another passenger vehicle and opened fire on it.
During the onslaught, a police officer identified as Inspector Isah Muhammad Girkau was hit by a bullet and succumbed to his injuries.
However, the police command has yet to officially confirm the identity of the deceased officer or provide specific details surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The attack has once again heightened fears and renewed grave concerns over the continuous vulnerability of rural roads and communities in parts of Sokoto State to deadly operations by armed groups.
