Bandits Strike Again in Sokoto: Five Dead, Three Injured in Kebbe LGA Attack

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed a deadly bandit attack on communities in Kebbe Local Government Area, leaving at least five people dead and several others injured.

The attack, which occurred on Thursday evening, September 3, 2026, targeted the Girkau community and other settlements within Girkau Ward. The incident has once again brought the persistent security challenges in the region into sharp focus.

Casualties and Rustling Confirmed

Confirming the incident in a telephone conversation with journalists on Friday, the command's spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, provided the grim details: "Five persons were killed, three others were injured, while unspecified animals were rustled in the attack."

Rufai also noted that the command is still gathering information regarding the number of residents who may have been abducted during the assault, indicating the full scale of the attack is yet to be ascertained.

A Community Under Siege

The latest attack underscores the ongoing security crisis in Kebbe LGA, where residents have reportedly endured a series of attacks, abductions, and cattle rustling incidents. This attack follows a particularly alarming development days earlier when, on Tuesday afternoon, Kebbe town was reportedly subjected to a N40 million levy allegedly imposed by bandits. The police, however, have not confirmed this levy in their latest statement.

Police Vow to Protect Citizens

Despite the challenges, DSP Rufai assured residents that security agencies remain committed to safeguarding lives and property in the area.

"The police and other security agencies remain committed to protecting the lives and property of the people. We will continue to respond to security threats and work with communities to ensure their safety," he stated.

As the community mourns its dead and the injured receive treatment, the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tackling insecurity in northwestern Nigeria. The police have promised to provide further details as their investigation continues.