By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Sokoto
Two members of a local vigilante group were killed while three suspected bandits also lost their lives during a gun battle following an attack on Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday.
Residents said the bandits stormed the community around 1:30 a.m., launching a coordinated assault believed to have been planned to overpower local volunteer guards who have been defending the village against frequent raids.
According to community sources, the attackers split into groups and advanced through different routes into the village, attempting to surprise the volunteer guards who were on night watch.
One of the groups reportedly hid around trees near the village cemetery while others sneaked into houses on the outskirts before confronting members of the vigilante team guarding the area.
A fierce gun duel ensued and lasted for more than an hour as the local guards resisted the attackers. During the exchange of gunfire, two vigilante members — identified as Garba Abdulmumini and Umarun Biggy — were killed.
However, the community guards reportedly succeeded in killing three of the suspected bandits during the confrontation, forcing the remaining attackers to retreat from the village.
Residents said the bandits had abandoned their motorcycles far from the community to avoid detection and entered the village on foot.
After the clash, the attackers allegedly used a donkey to carry away the bodies of their slain members while fleeing, breaking through the fence of a house during their escape.
The attack has heightened fear among residents, with some villagers reportedly attempting to flee the community before local leaders intervened and appealed to them to remain.
Community members lamented that Bargaja remains one of the few villages in the area without a permanent security presence despite persistent attacks by armed bandits.
They appealed to the Sokoto State Government and federal authorities to establish a military or security base in the area to protect residents and curb the frequent raids.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the police were aware of the attack and the casualties recorded during the raid.
