Sokoto Ambush Claims Lives of Four Agricultural Workers, 12 Others Taken Hostage

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Suspected bandits have killed four farmers and abducted at least 12 others in a daylight attack on Ghandi District in the Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, heightening concerns over the persistent insecurity in the eastern part of the state.

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The attack reportedly occurred on Tuesday while the victims were working on farmlands on the outskirts of the community.

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Confirming the incident, a resident, Malam Ibrahim Umar Ghandi, said the attack happened near his farmland, which he had stopped cultivating because of recurring security threats.

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“It was close to my farmland where the attack occurred. Because the land is located on the outskirts of Ghandi, I stopped cultivating it. However, some of my relatives sought my permission to use the land, which I granted,” he said.

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According to him, the farmers were working on the land around 11am when armed assailants stormed the area.

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“They were on the farm around 11 a.m. when the bandits attacked. They shot four of the farmers dead and abducted several others who were working in the area,” Umar said.

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Another resident, Muhammed Sani, said there were conflicting accounts regarding the exact time of the attack, suggesting that it might have occurred earlier.

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“We believe the attack happened around 9 a.m., but it was not discovered until about 11 a.m. We are living in constant fear because no one is safe in the eastern part of Sokoto State,” he lamented.

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A member of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that 12 abducted victims had so far been identified.

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“We have just returned from the scene. Four farmers were killed, while one other person sustained injuries and is receiving treatment in hospital,” the source said.

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“So far, we have identified 12 persons who were abducted by the bandits.”

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The latest attack comes despite renewed operations by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other security agencies across Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states aimed at dismantling bandit networks and restoring peace to affected communities.

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However, several communities in eastern Sokoto, particularly in Rabah, Sabon Birni, Goronyo and Isa local government areas, continue to grapple with attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands and threatening agricultural activities during the rainy season.

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When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had yet to receive details of the incident.

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“I am not aware of the attack at the moment, but I will contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area to obtain details and get back to you,” he said.

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As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the attack or efforts being made to rescue the abducted victims.

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