At least five residents have reportedly lost their lives while several women were abducted following an attack on Lajinge community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State by suspected bandits believed to be loyal to notorious kingpin Bello Turji.
The incident was brought to public attention on Wednesday by conflict journalist Bakatsine, who shared details of the attack in a post on his X account.
According to the report, the armed men invaded the community on Tuesday night, killing five people and leaving eight others injured. The wounded victims were reportedly taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Several women were also said to have been kidnapped during the raid, although the exact number of those taken away has not been established.
Beyond the killings and abductions, the attackers allegedly made away with a large number of livestock and looted valuables from residents before escaping.
The whereabouts of the abducted victims remain unknown, heightening fears among residents who are worried about their safety and the possibility of further attacks on the community.
Reacting to the incident, Bakatsine lamented the recurring violence allegedly linked to Bello Turji, noting that repeated attacks across the area have continued to leave communities living in fear, forcing many from their homes and resulting in numerous deaths.
He questioned how much longer affected communities would continue to endure the violence without decisive action to end the attacks.
As of the time this report was filed, security authorities had not officially confirmed the incident or released any statement regarding the reported attack.
Lajinge is one of several communities in Sokoto State that have repeatedly come under attack from armed bandit groups operating in the North-West. The region, particularly Sabon Birni Local Government Area, has witnessed recurring incidents of killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and displacement of residents despite ongoing military operations. Bello Turji, one of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit leaders, has long been linked to a series of violent attacks across Sokoto, Zamfara, and neighbouring states, with security agencies intensifying efforts in recent years to dismantle his network.
