Armed bandits kill 12 and seize women and children in Sokoto village
Gunmen attacked the village of Lajinge in Sokoto state overnight, killing at least 12 people, injuring four and abducting women and children.
In the early hours of Sunday, gunmen stormed Lajinge, a village in northwestern Sokoto state, and carried out a prolonged assault that lasted until about 3 a.m. The militants set fire to houses, causing six members of a single family to die in the blaze, and killed at least twelve other residents while wounding four more. They also looted livestock and abducted several women and children. Local resident Auwal Hassan reported the carnage to one outlet, and police spokesperson Ahmed Rufai confirmed an ongoing investigation.
This raid is part of a pattern of bandit activity in the area, which includes frequent kidnappings for ransom and livestock theft. The incident comes just a week after bandits killed at least 24 farmers in nearby Zamfara state, underscoring the escalating insecurity in Nigeria's northwest.
Why it matters
The attack highlights the growing threat of bandit violence in Nigeria, affecting civilian safety and regional stability.
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