Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Bandits attacked Dukura community in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Monday morning, September 21, 2026, blocking the road linking the community to Tambuwal market, killing two people, and carting away cows, camels, sheep, and motorcycles belonging to commercial riders.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command received a distress report and deployed personnel to the area. The police engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat. "Unfortunately, before the arrival of the police, the bandits had already killed two people and made away with some animals," Rufai said. He added that efforts were ongoing to ascertain further details and strengthen security in the affected communities.
Residents of Dukura, Dalijan, and several communities in Girkau Ward, including Zugu, Indire, Mazoji, Tungar Kabawa, Runtuwa, Jabga, and Sabon Garin Zugu, have been left on edge. The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Kebbe LGA. On September 15, 2026, bandits attacked Girkau community, killing five residents and injuring three others. They spent several hours inside the community, leaving residents with nowhere safe to seek shelter. They killed one person in Dukura and another in Jabga. A vigilante was abducted, and his locally made gun was taken.
In August 2026, suspected bandits rustled more than 300 cattle and seven camels from Ungushi and Gwandi communities, leaving at least two men receiving treatment for gunshot wounds. In July 2026, bandits imposed fresh multi-million-naira levies on at least 26 communities in Sabon Birni LGA, with demands ranging between N4 million and N6 million per community. The attacks have displaced thousands, emptied villages, and destroyed livelihoods.
The security situation in Kebbe LGA remains volatile and unpredictable. The Sokoto State Government has acknowledged the severity of the crisis. Governor Ahmed Aliyu has called for stronger security measures, and the state has deployed additional troops and resources to the region. The military has recorded operational successes, including the rescue of kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of bandits. But the attacks have not stopped. Bandits continue to exploit the difficult terrain, porous borders, and limited security presence in the vast rural areas of Sokoto State.
The people of Dukura and surrounding communities have repeatedly called for sustained security deployment, intelligence-led operations, and the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. They have also demanded that the government address the root causes of the violence, including poverty, unemployment, and the proliferation of small arms. Until then, residents say they will continue to live in fear of the next attack, the next gunshot in the night, and the next time the road to the market is blocked by armed men.
The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest security station. The command said it was working to strengthen security in the affected communities. For now, the people of Dukura are left to count their losses, bury their dead, and wonder when the violence will end.
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