Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed an attack by suspected bandits on communities in Shagari Local Government Area of the state, with reports indicating that a police inspector was killed during the incident.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack on Tuesday after the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari briefed the command on the situation.
Rufai, however, said the police were still gathering information on the incident and had not yet established the full number of casualties.
“I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government. We are still on it. I cannot give details now until I gather my information about the incident,” he said.
The confirmation followed reports of the movement of armed bandits through farmlands and communities in the area, particularly around Sanyin Nawal village.
A resident of Sanyin Nawal, Hassan Sahabi, had raised an alarm as the armed men reportedly moved through the community, appealing for prayers and protection for residents.
Separate accounts of the incident indicated that the attackers moved through parts of Shagari during the morning before heading towards Sanyin Nawal, where they reportedly stopped vehicles and robbed travellers.
The attackers were also reportedly seen moving between surrounding rural communities before an encounter later occurred as they returned from the area in the evening.
According to eyewitness accounts cited in reports, the assailants encountered a passenger vehicle around Maghrib and allegedly opened fire, during which a police officer identified as Inspector Isah Muhammad Girkau was reportedly hit and later died from his injuries.
However, the Sokoto Police Command has not independently confirmed the identity of the officer or released an official account of how he died as of the latest reports.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security situation in rural parts of Sokoto State, where communities and roads have repeatedly come under attacks by armed groups.
The development also comes amid continuing security operations across the state. On October 2, 2026, the Sokoto Police Command said its operatives repelled an attempted attack on Tsabre village in Isa Local Government Area and recovered abandoned weapons and other items after the attackers fled.
Earlier, the state government said it was intensifying collaboration with security agencies to tackle banditry and facilitate the return of internally displaced residents to their communities.
The circumstances surrounding the latest attack, the number of casualties and the identity of the reported deceased officer remain subject to further confirmation by the Sokoto State Police Command.
Stone Reporters will continue to monitor developments as the police provide further details.
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