At least 12 people are dead after suspected bandits stormed Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday night. Six of the victims were burnt alive after attackers poured petrol on the room where they had taken refuge.
The gunmen arrived around 11pm on Saturday, July 19, 2026, and spent more than four hours terrorising the community, according to Daily Trust. The attack continued until approximately 3:30am on Sunday, with no security response throughout the ordeal.
How the Attack Unfolded
A resident who spoke anonymously told the newspaper that the gunmen surrounded a room where a group of people had locked themselves inside. "When those inside refused to come out, the attackers poured petrol on the structure and set it ablaze," the resident said. As occupants attempted to escape through the door, they were shot, and their remains were left inside the burning room.
Those killed in the fire were identified as Mallam Wauro, also known as Mallam Roro, the head of the household; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives named Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the home. A seventh victim, Lawwali, was shot dead at the entrance of the same compound while trying to flee.
Other victims included Yusuf and three more displaced persons who had taken refuge in the village; they were all shot while attempting to escape the attackers. A woman named Agada also died from severe shock during the assault.
Vigilantes Overpowered, Livestock Stolen
A local vigilante member who was on duty that night said his team had been keeping watch near the village primary school when the shooting began. They scattered and moved between hiding spots as gunfire drew closer.
Once the vigilantes were overpowered, the attackers moved through the village freely, going from house to house to steal cattle and sheep. According to the vigilante, one of the gunmen positioned a rifle at a strategic point and kept firing to provide cover while others looted livestock. The bandits later targeted Mallam Wauro's residence, killed him and his sons, abducted his two wives, and took all his cattle.
Residents said they could not confirm the exact number of people abducted, although some victims, particularly children, were later released by the bandits.
No Security Response for Hours
Villagers said that despite making repeated distress calls, security personnel stationed at Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, both roughly two kilometres from Lajinge, did not respond at any point during the four-hour attack. One resident described the bandits walking along the main road, laughing and smoking cigarettes, after they had overrun the village.
Community leaders had reportedly submitted multiple requests to the government to deploy security forces in the area, but those appeals went unanswered. Residents noted that eight people were also killed in the same community about three weeks before this latest attack.
When contacted, the state Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was unaware of the incident and was in transit. He added that he would verify once he reached his office, but he had not responded by the time this report was filed.
Recent Attacks in Sabon Birni
The attack on Lajinge is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Sabon Birni LGA. In a similar assault, bandits attacked Tsamaye village on Tuesday night, July 28, spending over six hours terrorising residents. Seven bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning, July 29, after the attackers spent the night raiding homes, looting shops, and rustling livestock. At least three abductions were confirmed after relatives called victims' phones and the bandits answered, saying they had them in custody.
In another series of attacks, suspected bandits launched coordinated raids across three communities in Sabon Birni LGA between Thursday evening and Friday morning. Security forces repelled an earlier invasion attempt at Unguwan Lalle, but the bandits redirected their assault to neighbouring villages. A community leader confirmed the killings came amid renewed bandit activity in the area, including the abduction of three farmers days earlier.
