Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The voice of the elderly man cracked as he spoke, his words heavy with the weight of what he had witnessed. He had seen his neighbour fall, not once, but five times, as the bullets tore through his body. The attackers did not stop until they were sure he was gone. Then they moved on, leaving behind a trail of grief and a community that has now learned to live with the constant shadow of death. This is the reality of Acida community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where bandits have turned everyday life into a deadly gamble.
In a video that has since gone viral, an elderly resident of Acida recounted the harrowing attack on his community, describing how suspected bandits stormed the village and shot a man five times in front of his family and neighbours. The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, was reportedly targeted during the assault, which left the community in shock and mourning. The elderly narrator, speaking in a trembling voice, detailed the terrifying moments when the gunmen invaded the village, firing indiscriminately and showing no mercy. “They shot him five times,” he said, his words a chilling reminder of the brutality that has become all too common in rural Sokoto.
The attack on Acida is not an isolated incident. It is part of a wider wave of violence that has engulfed Sokoto State, where bandits have carried out a series of deadly assaults on communities, killing scores of residents and abducting dozens of others. On August 2, 2026, suspected bandits attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing at least 12 persons, including a father and his two sons who were burnt alive. On August 4, heavily armed bandits invaded Tsamaye community in the same local government area, killing 21 people and abducting 37 others. Just days later, on August 5, bandits attacked five communities in Shagari Local Government Area, rustling livestock and injuring several residents. The attacks have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, leaving communities like Acida largely deserted.
For the people of Acida and other rural communities, the violence is not just a headline; it is something they see and live through every day. The elderly resident's account is a stark reminder of the human cost of banditry, a crisis that has been allowed to fester for far too long. The attackers, who are believed to be linked to the Lakurawa sect, have become increasingly bold, carrying out coordinated attacks on villages and towns across the state. The bandits have also been accused of abducting residents for ransom, with over 100 people currently being held captive in Wurno Local Government Area alone.
The Sokoto State Government and security agencies have struggled to contain the violence. The state police command has confirmed that it is working to repel bandit attacks and recover stolen livestock, but the attacks have continued unabated. Residents have expressed frustration over the government's inability to protect them, with some accusing authorities of betraying their trust. In April 2026, residents of Achida (a variant spelling of Acida) successfully repelled a bandit attack and killed one suspected assailant, but the victory was short-lived. The bandits have since returned with greater force, leaving the community in a state of constant fear.
The video of the elderly resident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling on the government to take urgent action to end the violence. The images of a man shot five times, of a community living in fear, and of families fleeing their homes have resonated with a public that has grown weary of the endless cycle of violence. The question on everyone's mind is: how many more lives must be lost before the government takes decisive action?
The situation in Acida and other communities in Sokoto State is a grim reminder of the failure of Nigeria's security apparatus to protect its citizens. The bandits have turned rural communities into killing fields, and the government's response has been woefully inadequate. While security forces have made some gains, the attacks have continued, and the people of Sokoto have been left to fend for themselves. The elderly resident's account is a testament to the courage and resilience of the people of Acida, but it is also a cry for help.
As the video of the elderly man continues to circulate, it serves as a powerful indictment of the government's failure to protect its citizens. The man who was shot five times may have survived, but his community remains in danger. The bandits are still out there, and they will strike again. The question is not whether there will be another attack, but when. And when that day comes, another elderly resident will be left to tell the story of another community shattered by violence. May the injured man survive, and may the people of Acida know peace again.
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