A member of the Sokoto Community Guards has been killed and several people abducted after suspected bandits attacked Sabon Birni town in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Monday night.

The attack was confirmed by the lawmaker representing the area in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza, who said people were taken, but the exact number remains unclear.

He explained, “I cannot give the exact number of people abducted because Sabon Birni is not a small community. Some residents may have fled into nearby bushes, while others might not have been in town at the time of the attack. Until a thorough search is conducted, it will be difficult to ascertain the exact figure.”

However, a resident who spoke anonymously said about 10 people were taken, adding: “This is the third attempt by bandits to invade Sabon Birni, and they used the same route as in previous attacks. They killed one community guard and abducted about 10 people.”

Boza also said the attack happened at Kantin Gabas, near the town’s Eid prayer ground, while police said they were still gathering details of the incident.

His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh, has died in Egypt after a prolonged illness.
His son, Engr. Tijjani Hamisu Bala, who is the General Manager of the Yobe State Road Maintenance Agency (YORMA), announced the death, in a statement. He said his father died on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt.

He described his late father as a mentor and traditional ruler whose life was devoted to the service of his people and humanity, adding that, “With profound sorrow and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, I announce the passing of my beloved father, namesake and traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh, the Emir of Gazargamu, who returned to his Creator today, June 9, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a protracted illness,” he said.

According to the statement, the late emir’s life was marked by wisdom, humility, courage and unwavering dedication to the service of his people.

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits linked to criminal activities, including the killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, personnel in Bagudo Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said in a statement on Monday, that the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks operating around the Soda Forest axis and neighbouring border communities.

He said mobile police operatives intercepted three suspects along the Illo–Lolo road while they were travelling on a motorcycle from the Soda Forest area towards border settlements.

The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu.

Preliminary investigations showed that they were allegedly moving to deliver food supplies to armed groups operating in forest hideouts.

In a separate operation along the Bakin Ruwa–Ka’oje axis, four additional suspects, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu, were arrested as part of ongoing clearance operations in the area.

The police said investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement in recent attacks, including the killing of three FRSC officers in the area.

The suspects are in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for the arrests and praised residents for providing useful intelligence that supported the operation.