Bandits have reportedly killed at least eight farmers and injured five others in an attack on Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack occurred around 3pm on Sunday, throwing residents into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the community and opened fire on farmers.
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday evening.
Rufai said the command was aware of the attack, adding that officers were still gathering details about the incident.
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits opened fire on the farmers, killing no fewer than eight people and injuring at least five others.
The source alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security personnel during recent operations in the area.
“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” the source said.
The latest incident has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who continue to face threats from armed groups operating in parts of Sokoto State.
