The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed a bandit attack on Talluje and Chofi villages in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state, during which the Chief Imam of Talluje was killed.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the attack to our correspondent on Thursday but said he could not confirm the number of casualties because he had not been adequately briefed.
“I can confirm the attack, but I have not been adequately briefed on the incident. Therefore, I cannot confirm the number of casualties at the moment,” he said.
However, A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly on the incident, confirmed the attack and the killing of the Chief Imam.
“We have received reports of the attack and have mobilized our anti-kidnapping unit to the area because there are fears the bandits may return,” the officer said.
Local sources said the attack occurred at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday when armed bandits simultaneously invaded Talluje and Chofi villages in Danchadi District, operating for nearly two hours before fleeing with an unspecified number of rustled livestock.
Community leaders said the attackers killed the Chief Imam of Talluje and two other residents, although the identities of the other victims were yet to be confirmed.
The latest incident brings to three the number of Chief Imams reportedly killed by bandits in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.
A community leader in Danchadi said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, forcing hundreds of residents, mostly women and children, to flee to Danchadi and Bodinga town for safety.
“As I speak, many displaced residents are arriving in our communities carrying their belongings after escaping from the affected villages,” the source said.
Another resident said the bandits also rustled a large number of livestock, although the exact figure could not be immediately verified.
Residents said the attackers entered the communities through Duma village, which shares a border with Tureta Local Government Area, riding on motorcycles.
