Bandit Attack During Isha Prayer Forces Residents to Flee Baidi Village in Sokoto

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

Baidi village, a rural community located about three kilometres from Tangaza town in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was thrown into fear and confusion on Tuesday night after armed bandits launched a violent attack during the Isha prayer. The assault, which occurred as residents gathered for evening worship and others prepared to settle in for the night, left one person with a gunshot injury, several shops looted, and vital small businesses vandalised, forcing villagers to flee their homes amid fears of a possible return by the attackers.

According to accounts from residents who escaped the violence, the attackers arrived under the cover of darkness shortly after the commencement of the night prayer. The sound of gunfire shattered the calm of the village, sending worshippers and families scrambling for safety. Witnesses said the bandits moved swiftly through parts of the settlement, firing sporadically to instil fear and prevent resistance as they carried out their operation.

One resident was shot during the attack and sustained injuries that villagers described as serious but not immediately fatal. Due to the tense security situation and the sudden displacement of residents, it remained unclear late Tuesday night whether the injured person had been successfully evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. Locals expressed concern over the difficulty of accessing emergency healthcare during such attacks, especially in remote communities where medical centres are limited and transport is scarce.

Beyond the physical harm inflicted, the attackers targeted livelihoods that sustain daily life in the village. Several small shops were broken into and looted, with food items, household goods and cash reportedly taken. A phone-charging point, an essential service in an area with limited access to electricity, was also raided. For many villagers, such charging points are not merely conveniences but vital links to communication, allowing residents to contact relatives, access information and call for help during emergencies.

As news of the attack spread, panic gripped the community. Residents, fearing that the bandits might regroup and return, abandoned their homes and sought refuge in nearby bushes, neighbouring villages and safer areas closer to Tangaza town. Women, children and the elderly were seen moving hurriedly through the night, carrying what little they could manage in the darkness. For many, the decision to flee was driven by bitter experience, as repeated attacks across parts of north-western Nigeria have shown that bandits often strike the same location more than once.

Baidi village’s proximity to Tangaza town underscores the growing audacity of armed groups operating in Sokoto State. Tangaza Local Government Area has, in recent years, witnessed intermittent attacks linked to banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom. Despite military operations and security deployments across the wider region, rural communities remain highly vulnerable, particularly at night and during religious gatherings when people are concentrated in one place.

Residents told of a sense of helplessness as the attack unfolded. With limited security presence in the immediate vicinity, villagers relied on instinct and familiarity with the terrain to escape. Some described hiding silently in nearby farmlands and wooded areas, listening anxiously for signs that the attackers were leaving or advancing further. The psychological toll of such experiences, community members said, is as damaging as the physical losses, leaving families traumatised and uncertain about returning home.

Local leaders in Tangaza have repeatedly raised alarm over the fragile security situation in surrounding villages. Community representatives say that while towns may benefit from occasional patrols, smaller settlements like Baidi are often left exposed. They argue that bandits exploit this gap, striking swiftly before disappearing into difficult terrain that complicates pursuit by security forces.

Sokoto State, like much of Nigeria’s north-west, has faced a protracted security crisis marked by armed banditry, village raids and mass displacement. The violence has disrupted farming cycles, trade and education, with thousands of residents forced to abandon their homes over the past few years. Although state and federal authorities have launched several security initiatives, including joint military operations and community-based vigilance efforts, attacks continue to occur with worrying regularity.

The timing of the Baidi attack during Isha prayer has further heightened anxiety among residents, as places and moments of worship are traditionally seen as sanctuaries. Clerics and community elders expressed concern that the erosion of such spaces deepens fear and undermines social cohesion. For many villagers, the mosque is not only a religious centre but also a focal point for community life, making its disruption particularly distressing.

In the aftermath of the incident, calls have intensified for a stronger and more consistent security presence in Tangaza Local Government Area. Residents are urging authorities to deploy patrol teams closer to vulnerable villages and to improve response times to distress calls. There are also renewed appeals for better intelligence gathering and collaboration with local communities, who often possess critical information about movements in their surroundings.

Humanitarian concerns are also emerging as displaced residents face uncertainty over shelter, food and safety. Families who fled Baidi overnight were forced to sleep outdoors or crowd into relatives’ homes, with little access to basic necessities. Community volunteers have begun informal efforts to support those affected, but they stress that sustained assistance will be needed if residents are unable to return home quickly.

As of Wednesday morning, there had been no official statement detailing arrests or the immediate deployment of additional security forces to Baidi village. However, residents reported that the atmosphere remained tense, with many too fearful to return despite the apparent withdrawal of the attackers. The silence of abandoned homes and shuttered shops stood as a stark reminder of how a single night of violence can upend an entire community.

For the people of Baidi, the attack is another painful chapter in a long struggle for safety and stability. Their experience reflects a broader reality confronting many rural communities in northern Nigeria, where daily life continues under the shadow of armed violence. As residents wait for assurances of protection, the hope remains that decisive action will prevent further attacks and allow families to return to their homes without fear.

📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews