A humanitarian worker and a police inspector have been killed in an attack by suspected bandits in Sokoto State, raising fresh concerns about the safety of field personnel and residents in communities affected by insecurity.
The humanitarian worker, identified as Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo, was reportedly attacked alongside members of her team while returning from field operations in Kajiji community, Shagari Local Government Area, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Her death was confirmed by her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, who announced the incident in a Facebook post on Thursday. According to the family, armed men opened fire on the team’s vehicle during the attack, killing Nwankwo at the scene.
The incident has triggered mourning among colleagues and members of the humanitarian community, who described the deceased as a committed field professional who worked to support vulnerable populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
Humanitarian workers frequently travel to communities to assess needs and support people affected by conflict, displacement and other emergencies. The killing has therefore heightened concerns about the risks faced by personnel carrying out field assignments in areas experiencing security challenges.
The Sokoto State Police Command also confirmed an attack on communities in Shagari Local Government Area, disclosing that an inspector was among those killed.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari had briefed the state headquarters about the incident.
“I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government. We are still on it. I cannot give details now until I gather my information about the incident,” Rufai said.
The police spokesman added that the command was still gathering information to establish the full circumstances of the attack, including the extent of the casualties and damage.
As of the time of reporting, details about the suspected attackers and the circumstances surrounding the assault remained limited.
Residents of the affected communities have called on the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to strengthen patrols and deploy additional personnel to Shagari and neighbouring areas to prevent further attacks.
The incident adds to concerns about the protection of civilians and frontline personnel operating in vulnerable communities. Further details are expected as security authorities continue their assessment.
