Cross-border bandits kill eight farmers, rustle livestock in Sokoto

In a tragic incident on Friday, eight farmers were killed by cross-border bandits while working on their farms in the Gudu local government area of Sokoto State.

The assailants, believed to have entered Nigeria from Mali, also stole at least 1,260 domestic animals, including 260 cows and 1,000 sheep and goats, from communities in Gudu.

Alhaji Umar Maikano Balle, the Sole Administrator of Gudu Local Government, disclosed these details during the Hausa programme “Tubalin Tsaro” on VOA Hausa Service, monitored by our correspondent.

Balle reported that the bandits initially passed through the town of Mantsaika, where they attempted to vandalize an oil pipeline from the Republic of Niger. However, they were repelled by Nigerien security forces. Frustrated, the bandits retreated towards Gudu, where they launched their deadly attack on the villagers.

“We received the information on their arrival at a forest in Gudu area on Thursday, and immediately informed the security personnel to be on the alert and work on the intelligence.

“The bandits also attacked Karfen Sarki village on Wednesday night and killed eight farmers, five among the victims were members of the Sokoto Community Guards while the three persons are villagers from Gudu community.

“The security personnel pursuing them on receiving information of the attacked village called China, but it was difficult due to the heavy rainfall in the area at that time. The security vehicle got stuck in the mud, which made the bandits escape.

“The bandits attacking people in the Gudu local government area are from Mali and this is not the first time, as similar attacks have occurred in the past,” Ballet narrated.

He also stressed that the bandits have been rustling livestock due to the porous Niger Republic cross borders aiding in attacking some communities.

The Chairman further stated that the bandits were also involved in jihadist activities and terrorising the community.