Gunmen have killed four farmers and abducted 12 others in a fresh attack on farming communities in Sokoto State, further escalating fears among residents and disrupting agricultural activities in the region.
The incident occurred in one of the vulnerable rural areas of the North-West state, where bandits continue to target soft spots like farmlands to terrorise locals and extort money through ransom demands. Survivors and community leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity described how armed attackers stormed the area during farming hours, shooting sporadically and rounding up victims before fleeing into nearby bushes. The attack has left families devastated, with many farmers now afraid to return to their fields, threatening food production and livelihoods in a region already struggling with insecurity.
This latest assault adds to a pattern of violence that has severely hampered farming activities in Sokoto and neighbouring states. Agricultural experts warn that repeated incidents could worsen food insecurity nationwide, as the North-West serves as a major food basket. Community leaders have appealed to both federal and state governments for urgent deployment of more security personnel and the establishment of permanent outposts near farmlands to deter future attacks.
The development comes amid broader concerns over the spread of banditry beyond traditional hotspots, with farmers increasingly becoming soft targets due to the economic value placed on them by criminals. Public frustration is growing as families of the abducted victims continue to live in anxiety, pleading for swift rescue operations. Security analysts link such attacks to the proliferation of small arms, youth unemployment, and weak intelligence-sharing mechanisms in rural areas.
Stakeholders have called for a multi-faceted approach combining kinetic operations with socio-economic interventions to address root causes. As Sokoto residents demand stronger action, the incident highlights the urgent need for enhanced community policing and better protection for those feeding the nation. The state government is yet to issue a detailed statement on rescue efforts, but pressure continues to mount on authorities to act decisively.
