Suspected bandits have killed at least 11 people in fresh attacks in Rabah and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Sokoto State, leading to the closure of public schools in various areas in the state due to increasing security concerns.

The latest attack took place in the Sokoto Community Guard Corps (SCGC) operatives’ hostage village of Maikujera, in Rabah LGA, where seven persons, including two operatives, died in the attack.

In the nearby Angamba community, three women lost their lives, and some other residents were allegedly abducted by the attackers.

The incident occurred only one day after another shooting incident in Unguwan Lalle community of Sabon Birni LGA, in which four people were shot dead and several others injured by heavily armed bandits who invaded the community.

The attackers, who arrived in Maikujera on over 30 motorcycles about 2:30 p.m. Monday, opened fire on the residents and then took people into captivity, security sources said.

Both SCGC staff members were fatally injured while they were defending themselves and the community against the attackers.

Poor logistics – lack of ammunition, lack of armoured vehicles – made it difficult for community security operatives to keep up with the attackers’ firepower, it was said.

The security sources indicated that the gunmen were said to have come in from Bakura Local Government Area of the neighbouring state of Zamfara.

The attackers were allegedly trying to steal livestock, and violence erupted when residents rejected the attack. A military base was set up near the community, but the security forces reportedly arrived after the gunmen had fled into the forest of Bakura.