Following a new bandit raid in the early hours of Sunday, Bargaja town in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State has seen at least two fatalities and more civilians forced to flee. 

According to local accounts, the attackers broke into the town at around 1:30 a.m., causing the locals to flee to safer areas, such as the city of Sokoto and other communities. 

According to security expert Bashiru Altine Giyawa, who verified the incident, Bargaja was one of the few local towns that continuously fended off raids by fighters devoted to infamous bandit leader Bello Turji. He claimed that in an effort to stop the invasion, local vigilantes engaged the assailants in a gunfight.

“The vigilante group confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two vigilantes lost their lives during the confrontation,” Altine said.

Umaru Biri and Garba Mumminu were named as the victims; they are said to have died from gunshot wounds received during the assault. 

According to locals, a number of bandits were also slain in the battle, but their bodies were purportedly removed by other combatants and hidden in neighboring forests. 

The situation in Bargaja, which is in eastern Sokoto, was described by eyewitnesses as stressful, pointing out that ongoing attacks connected to Turji's network have resulted in several fatalities and displacements. 

Fearing that authorities were not doing enough to address the growing instability, our correspondent saw groups of displaced residents—mostly women and children—boarding trucks and departing the area with their goods.

Source