At least five people have been killed and several women abducted after suspected bandits led by notorious kingpin Bello Turji invaded Lajinge community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack was disclosed in a post shared on Wednesday by conflict reporter Bakatsine via his X handle.

According to the report, the assailants stormed the community on Tuesday night, killing five residents and injuring eight others, who were subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.

The attackers also reportedly abducted several women, although the exact number of those kidnapped remains unknown.

In addition to the killings and abductions, the bandits allegedly rustled a large number of livestock and looted valuables belonging to residents before fleeing the area.

The fate of those abducted remains unclear, a development that has triggered fears and anxiety among residents of the community over their safety and possible further attacks.

Bakatsine said Bello Turji’s persistent attacks on communities within the axis have continued to fuel fear, displacement and loss of lives.

“Bello Turji’s relentless attacks on communities across this axis have continued to cause fear, displacement and loss of lives.

How long will these communities continue to endure this cycle of terror without a decisive end to the attacks?” he wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to confirm the incident or issue any official statement on the reported attack.

Men of Oyo State Police command have arrested two suspected armed robbers. 

The command also revealed that it has recovered some items as exhibits from the suspects. 

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday, he said that the suspects carried out robbery operation along Oyo–Iwo Expressway.

He revealed that the command received information about the incident and swung into action. 

“The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 5 July 2026, following a distress call received at the Police Control Room, Eleyele, Ibadan, reporting that a gang of armed robbers had barricaded the Oyo–Iwo Expressway around Akoda Village in Afijio Local Government Area. 

“Further intelligence-driven investigation led the VCRU operatives to the hideouts of the suspects, culminating in the arrest of Abubakar Jape and Sheu Dengi.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the robbery operation. An identification parade was subsequently conducted, during which the victims positively identified them as some of the armed robbers who attacked and robbed them,” he further stated.  

Nasarawa State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers following the abduction of three students of the Federal University of Lafia.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, who disclosed the unfortunate incident in a statement on Wednesday, said the armed men attacked the school area on Tuesday night.

He said the command received a distress call from the Chief Security Officer, CSO of the university at about 9:20 pm, reporting the abduction of students “residing at Living Seed Lodge, located in a bushy area on the outskirts of the students’ residential community”.

The PPRO said upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams, patrol operatives, and other security personnel to the scene.

The operatives, according to the statement, swiftly mobilized and launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation within the surrounding forest, rescuing one of the victims.

“The prompt response of the police led to the successful rescue of one of the abducted students.

“Efforts have since been intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining two victims still in captivity and the arrest of the perpetrators.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed all operational and intelligence assets of the Command to sustain the ongoing operation until the remaining victims are rescued unharmed.

“He assured members of the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the criminals to justice”, the PPRO added.