PANIC IN SOKOTO COMMUNITY AS BANDITS SHOOT RESIDENT, STEAL 28 CATTLE

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By: Fasasi Hammad

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed an attack by armed bandits on Gidan Asarki, a community near Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, during which a resident was shot in the leg and 28 cattle were stolen.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Sunday in the community, located behind the university’s Jummat Mosque, causing panic among residents.

The police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack to our correspondent in a telephone conversation on Monday, stating that the assailants shot one person before fleeing with the livestock.

“They invaded Gidan Asarki village and shot one person in the leg and rustled 28 cattle,” Rufai said.

Residents disclosed that the attackers threatened members of the community and demanded that students residing in the area be brought out.

“They threatened us to bring out the students living in this community, but thank God it was during the holiday,” a resident said.

The attack occurred during the university’s holiday period, when many students were reportedly away from the community.

A resident, Hussaini, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday morning, said the victim survived the shooting and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

“When they were shooting, an old man was shot in the leg, but he is alive, and we have taken him to the hospital,” he said.

Another resident, Jameel Muhammad, also confirmed the incident, stating that the gunmen escaped with more than 20 cattle.

“Wallahi, they have gone with more than 20 cows, and they shot the owner in the leg,” Muhammad said.

However, the police confirmed that 28 cattle were stolen during the attack.

As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed reports of fatalities or abductions.

The incident has heightened concerns about the security of communities surrounding Usmanu Danfodiyo University, particularly rural settlements vulnerable to armed attacks and livestock theft.

Armed banditry and cattle rustling remain persistent security challenges across parts of northwestern Nigeria.