Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A wave of grief and anger has swept through Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State after suspected bandits launched a devastating attack that left at least 12 people dead, six of them burned alive, while several women and children were abducted and large numbers of livestock rustled. The assault, which began at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and lasted until around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, saw the heavily armed assailants operate with impunity for nearly five hours without any security intervention, according to multiple residents who spoke to Daily Trust. The attackers, believed to be loyal to the notorious kingpin Bello Turji, overpowered local vigilantes, moved from house to house, and subjected the terrified community to one of the most brutal massacres in the area in recent memory.
The attack was disclosed on Sunday by conflict reporter Bakatsine via his X handle, confirming that the gunmen stormed the community, killing 11 residents and injuring four others, while also abducting women and children, rustling livestock, looting shops, and carting away five KASEA motorcycles. The assailants reportedly split into groups, with one faction engaging and overpowering the local vigilantes who were keeping watch near the village primary school. A vigilante who participated in the defence told Daily Trust that they were forced to flee from one hiding place to another as the shooting intensified. "We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer," he said.
One of the most harrowing episodes of the attack occurred at the residence of Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro, where the gunmen surrounded a room in which several people had taken refuge. When those inside refused to come out, the attackers poured petrol on the room and opened fire. As the trapped occupants attempted to escape through the door, they were shot down. Their bodies were left inside the burning structure. Those killed in the fire included Mallam Wauro, his two sons—Ukasha and Mujaheed—and two other relatives identified as Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami, as well as an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the house. Another victim, Lawwali, was shot dead at the entrance of the same house while trying to flee, bringing the death toll in that compound alone to seven. The remaining victims were shot while attempting to escape from the village and included Yusuf and three other internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in Lajinge.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said 11 of the victims died from gunshot wounds, while a woman identified as Agada died after suffering severe shock during the attack. The residents lamented that despite the attack lasting for about four hours, no security reinforcement arrived. "The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community," one resident said. They alleged that security personnel stationed in Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, both located about two kilometres from Lajinge, did not respond to repeated distress calls throughout the attack. "We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities," another resident appealed.
The attackers also abducted Mallam Wauro's two wives and carted away all his cattle. Residents could not immediately establish the exact number of abducted persons, explaining that although many villagers were taken away, some—especially children—were later released by the gunmen. The attackers also rustled cattle and sheep and looted shops before fleeing the area. The attack came barely three weeks after a similar incident in the same community, where five people were killed, several others injured, and residents abducted. In July 2026, suspected bandits led by Bello Turji had killed at least five people and abducted many women in the same community, according to a report by The Guardian. The recurring nature of the attacks has left residents in a state of constant fear and despair.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Sokoto State, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was not aware of the incident, according to Daily Trust. The lack of official confirmation and the failure of security forces to respond to distress calls have fuelled anger and frustration among residents, who feel abandoned by the authorities. Community leaders have repeatedly appealed to the government to deploy security personnel to the area, but their requests have not been granted. The attack on Lajinge highlights the urgent need for stronger early warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, and a sustained security presence to protect civilians in Nigeria's North-West, where banditry has become a daily reality for millions of people. As the community mourns its dead and searches for the abducted, the question on everyone's mind remains: how many more communities must suffer repeated attacks before a lasting solution is implemented to protect innocent civilians?
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