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.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have killed two suspects alleged to be kidnappers in Ilu Abo, along Akure-Owo highway, Akure North Local Council Area of the state.

The suspects numbering about seven had invaded a block industry in the community in the early hours of Wednesday when men of the Federal Highway Patrol Unit responded to a distress call.

While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, revealed that during the gun duel, two of the suspects were neutralized while other members of the gang fled into the bush with gunshot wounds.

“A patrol team from the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo responded to a distress call regarding the activities of armed men at Olaiya Block Industry, located beside Ilu-Abo High School.

“During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while the remaining members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

“Meanwhile, one locally fabricated pistol, Live Catridges, four mobile phones, several face masks, as well as two ATM Cards believed to belong to the criminal syndicate or their victims were recovered.”

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.