Mujeeb Akindoyin
No fewer than eight farmers were killed and five others injured when suspected bandits attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Sunday.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at about 3pm and opened fire on farmers, sending residents fleeing for safety.
The incident was confirmed by the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, who said the command was aware of the attack.
Rufai, who spoke with journalists by telephone, said eight farmers were killed while five others sustained gunshot injuries.
He added that the command was still gathering details about the incident and would issue an official statement after completing its assessment.
“Yes, we are aware of the attack. Eight farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered,” the police spokesman said.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers arrived in the community in the afternoon and immediately began shooting at people.
The source said the attack left residents terrified, particularly farmers who were carrying out their activities in the community when the gunmen struck.
The resident alleged that the attack might have been carried out as retaliation for recent operations by security agencies against bandit groups operating 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 fears among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, where farmers have continued to face threats from armed groups.
The attack also renewed concerns over the safety of farmers whose activities are critical to food production in the state.
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