Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Suspected bandits dressed in military uniforms killed four residents of Gandi community in Sokoto State on Monday, July 27, 2026, in an attack that occurred just minutes after soldiers who had been patrolling the area departed. The attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, exploited the brief security gap to strike the community in a raid that has deepened fears among residents already living under the shadow of persistent banditry.
According to a resident who spoke to Vanguard, the bandits, numbering about 20, stormed Gandi around 8:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and terrorising residents before fleeing into nearby bushes. The victims, whose identities have not yet been officially released, were killed during the assault, while several others sustained injuries. The swift and coordinated nature of the attack suggests the assailants may have had prior knowledge of the military's movement, raising concerns about intelligence gaps and local collaboration with criminal groups.
The incident highlights the persistent security challenges in Sokoto State, where armed groups have continued to operate with impunity despite ongoing military operations. Gandi, like many rural communities in the North-West, has suffered repeated attacks, abductions, and cattle rustling, leaving residents in a state of constant fear. The absence of a sustained security presence in the area has made it increasingly difficult for residents to carry out their daily activities, including farming, which is the primary source of livelihood for many.
As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful. The attack on Gandi is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Sokoto State, where bandits have increasingly targeted rural communities, exploiting the vast terrain and limited security presence to carry out deadly raids. Residents have called on the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to intensify security operations in the area, while also urging traditional rulers and community leaders to strengthen local intelligence networks to prevent future attacks.
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