Conflicting narratives trail Sokoto banditry attack, residents deny mass exodus

2026-03-16 - 09:06

By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto Conflicting accounts have emerged following a recent bandit attack on Bargaja community in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with residents disputing widespread reports that the town has been deserted due to insecurity. Some inhabitants of the community told journalists on Monday that while the attack created panic and led a few families to temporarily relocate, the situation was not as severe as portrayed in some media reports and social media videos suggesting a mass exodus. A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the movement of people out of the town was limited and largely precautionary. According to him, the arrival and continued presence of security personnel, including troops of the Nigerian Army and other operatives, reassured many residents and prompted several families who initially considered leaving to rescind their decision. “Some people began relocating out of fear, but when security operatives intensified patrols and maintained a presence in the area, many residents decided to remain in the community,” the source explained. A public affairs commentator from the area, Malam Altine Guyawa, confirmed that bandits attacked the community on Saturday, which triggered apprehension among residents. He noted that although some families contemplated relocation as a safety measure, local vigilantes and residents have historically resisted such attacks with the support of security agencies. According to him, the presence of additional security operatives strengthened local defensive efforts and helped restore confidence among residents. Another community source also confirmed that Bargaja had experienced sporadic bandit incursions in the past, often resulting in clashes between armed groups and local defenders supported by security personnel. The confrontations, the source said, occasionally led to casualties on both sides and heightened fear among villagers. A security source disclosed that military troops deployed to the area recently engaged a group of armed bandits who attempted to launch an attack on Bargaja and nearby settlements. The source said the troops’ rapid response successfully repelled the assailants and prevented further escalation. “The swift response of the troops demonstrated the effectiveness and proactiveness of the Nigerian Army in deterring attacks. The situation is currently stable and under control,” the source stated. He added that following consultations between community leaders and security authorities, many residents who had initially planned to relocate chose to remain in the town, noting that images circulating online likely reflected only a small number of those who temporarily moved. Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Police Command has said it is monitoring developments and conducting investigations into the incident. The command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, assured that authorities would provide further clarification after reviewing available information. However, separate media reports indicated that at least two people were killed during the attack, while some residents fled to neighbouring communities and the Sokoto metropolis for safety. Local sources said the attackers stormed the village around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, prompting residents, mostly women and children, to flee amid the chaos. Security analyst Bashiru Altine Giyawa, who confirmed the incident, said Bargaja has long been known for resisting repeated attacks by bandits believed to be linked to notorious gang leader Bello Turji. According to him, members of the local vigilante group engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle in an attempt to repel the invasion. “The vigilante group confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two vigilantes lost their lives during the confrontation,” he said. The deceased were identified as Umaru Biri and Garba Mumminu, who reportedly died from gunshot wounds sustained during the clash. Residents also claimed that several bandits were killed during the gun duel, though their bodies were allegedly taken away by their accomplices into nearby forest hideouts. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere in the eastern Sokoto community as tense, noting that persistent attacks linked to criminal networks operating in the region have continued to cause deaths and displacement across parts of northwestern Nigeria. Security authorities, however, maintain that efforts are ongoing to stabilise the area and reassure residents of their safety.