A deadly gun duel between bandits and vigilantes left three bandits and two vigilantes dead following an attack on Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday.
According to a local source, the attackers entered the village around 1:30 a.m., using an outskirt route. Some hid in trees near the village cemetery, while others sneaked into a house on the outskirts, confronting vigilantes stationed to protect the area.
The source noted that one vigilante was killed at the onset of the clash, prompting the remaining vigilantes to return fire, killing three bandits. The attackers later tracked another vigilante hiding in a house and killed him. The deceased vigilantes were identified as Umar Ibrahim and Abubakar Abdullahi.
Reports indicate the bandits used a donkey to transport the bodies of their dead and abandoned their motorcycles a distance away to evade detection.
The incident sparked panic among residents, with some attempting to flee the village. Community leaders, including the village head and security commander, intervened to restore calm.
DSP Ahmad Rufai, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, confirmed that the police are aware of the attack and the casualties recorded.
