A deadly attack on Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State has left five people dead and nine women abducted, in what locals described as a tragic consequence of ignored security warnings.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that before the early Saturday assault, social activist, Basharu Altine Guyawa had raised an alarm on social media, alerting authorities to the movement of the notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his gang.
He reported sighting Turji’s convoy of about 40 motorcycles moving from Fadanar Tursa and Dorawar Madugu toward Dan Huntuwa via the Katutu Bridge, a route linking Shinkafi and Isa LGAs.
Despite the warning, villagers say little was done to prevent the attack.
“They were seen coming, but no one stopped them,” said a resident who narrowly escaped, adding that “by dawn, Bargaja was burning.”
The bandits reportedly stormed the community, shooting sporadically and looting homes before abducting the nine women.
A member of the Community Guard Corps was also injured in the attack.
But Isa Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Sharehu Abubakar Kamarawa, has denied claims that authorities ignored the early warning, insisting that security personnel were mobilized immediately after the alert.
“Security teams were dispatched, but the bandits diverted through an unexpected route,” he said, adding that the security commander had been replaced for lapses in coordination and response.
Kamarawa said the council was committed to supporting security agencies, citing ongoing logistical support and collaboration with state authorities.
He said Governor Ahmed Aliyu had distributed patrol vehicles and motorcycles as well as the restoration of operational allowances for frontline personnel.
Still, for residents of Bargaja, those measures came too late.
