By Our Correspondent
At least two people were killed and several others abducted when armed bandits attacked Bargaja village in Isa Local Government Area, Sokoto State, on Monday, January 12, 2026. The brutal raid has sparked fear among residents and added to growing concerns about insecurity in the region.
According to local sources, the attack was carried out in the early hours of the morning. Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen stormed homes indiscriminately, killing two villagers and forcibly abducting multiple others. The exact number of those taken remains unconfirmed, as rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the killings and kidnappings. While the police have deployed personnel to the area, a full report is pending submission from the Divisional Police Officer stationed in Isa LGA. Residents have expressed frustration over the frequency of such attacks and the slow response from security agencies.
The suspected perpetrators are reportedly linked to notorious bandit groups operating in the region. These gangs have been responsible for repeated raids along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis, forcing many families to flee their homes.
Humanitarian sources indicate that an estimated 28 villages in Isa LGA have been deserted as residents seek safety in nearby towns or across state borders.
Community leaders are calling on federal and state authorities to urgently strengthen security measures to protect vulnerable populations.
The attack highlights the continuing humanitarian crisis in Sokoto State, where recurring banditry has disrupted lives, displaced families, and heightened insecurity in rural areas.
