Bandits have killed two people and kidnapped several others during an attack on Bargaja village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
DSP Ahmed Rufai, police public relations officer of the state command, explained that gunmen allegedly loyal to bandit leader Bello Turji were suspected of carrying out the attack.
Rufai assured that a detailed account of the incident will be provided once the area divisional police officer submits a field report to the state command.
He explained that two were killed but could not give the exact number of people who were kidnapped, saying that they will obtain more complete details from the local government DPO to determine the number of those kidnapped.
Bargaja, according to security sources and residents, had been attacked days earlier, suggesting repeated raids into the area along the Sokoto-Zamfara axis that led to further displacement, with villagers fleeing to Isa town and neighboring communities.
Despite assurances from security agencies, Isa, Sabon Birni and other parts of eastern Sokoto have continued to suffer attacks, kidnappings and displacement.
The report shows the arrival of displaced people from Tidibale district to Isa town, which has become increasingly frequent in recent months as more agricultural and pastoral settlements come under threat.
According to a source, “Bello Turji has devastated the entire Tidibale district.”
He called for intervention by federal, state and local authorities, saying civilians were quickly becoming “refugees in their own land.”
Following the recent developments, neither the Sokoto State Government nor the Isa Local Government Council had issued a response to the situation.