Bandits attack worshippers in Sokoto

Armed bandits have attacked worshippers at a mosque in Marnona village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing one person and injuring several others.

The assault, which occurred during early morning prayers, has heightened tension in the already volatile Sokoto East region.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the mosque in the early hours and opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee in panic.

Confirming the incident, Sokoto State APC Chairman, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, condemned the attack as “barbaric” and “cowardly,” calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

He assured that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, was working to combat banditry, while expressing sympathy to victims’ families and wishing the injured a quick recovery.

Security sources suggested the attackers may have come from camps in dense forests along the Sokoto–Zamfara border, notorious for harbouring armed groups. The bandits reportedly fled before security operatives arrived.

The incident adds to a series of violent raids, kidnappings, and killings in Sokoto East in recent months.

Residents have called for increased military presence and a coordinated security response, while authorities have urged vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.

Security patrols have since been intensified, with local vigilante groups joining forces with law enforcement.

The Sokoto State Police Command has yet to release an official casualty figure or confirm the number of injured or abducted as of press time.