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No fewer than 17 people, including seven visitors who had travelled for the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, were reportedly killed when bandits attacked Dangulbi community in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Residents said the attackers, numbering in the hundreds and riding on motorcycles, invaded the community on Sunday morning, firing indiscriminately, looting shops and forcing villagers to flee into nearby forests.

According to local sources, the assailants were believed to have moved from Bagega village in Zamfara State through Barayar Zaki in Bukkuyum Local Government Area before spending the night in Gizazza village ahead of the attack.

A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the gunmen entered Dangulbi between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and immediately opened fire on residents.

“They started shooting as soon as they arrived. People ran in different directions in search of safety, but 17 people lost their lives during the attack,” the source said.

Among those killed were Munde, Nagoma, Abdullahi, Danbala, Munden Chana, Muhammadu Dan Amo, Hassan, Abubakar Danbaba and Yidi Bafillace.

The resident disclosed that five of the victims were visitors from Adarawa in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while two others had travelled from Gidan Gambo in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State for the Sallah celebrations.

According to residents, the bandits remained in the community for several hours after the attack, preventing villagers from recovering and burying the dead until late in the evening.

“They stayed until about 7 p.m., making it impossible for anyone to come out. Funeral prayers were eventually conducted after 9:30 p.m. when they left,” the source added.

Residents further alleged that the attackers looted about 20 shops before moving through nearby communities, including Kukoki and Birnin Magaji, where several people were reportedly abducted.

The abductees were said to have escaped later in the night after a heavy rainstorm created confusion among their captors.

Many residents have since fled Dangulbi and surrounding communities, seeking refuge in safer areas across Tureta, Shagari, Gummi and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas.

Locals appealed to both the federal and state governments to urgently deploy additional security personnel and improve road infrastructure in the area, arguing that poor access roads often delay security responses and leave communities vulnerable to repeated attacks.

The latest incident adds to a series of deadly attacks that have recently plagued communities in the area, raising concerns over the worsening security situation and its potential impact on farming activities ahead of the rainy season.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed he was aware of the incident, adding that security operatives were working to restore normalcy and contain the situation.

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The Enugu State Government and the Enugu State Police Command have dismissed reports and a viral video alleging that innocent citizens were attacked and killed by suspected herdsmen in Awgu Local Government Area, describing the claims as false, misleading, and intended to incite fear among residents.

The government and the police, in separate statements issued on Monday, insisted that no such incident occurred in Awgu or any other part of the state.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the state government said the reports circulating on social media and other platforms were fabricated by individuals seeking to misinform the public and create unnecessary panic.

Agbo stated that residents of Awgu and other communities across Enugu State were peacefully going about their lawful activities, stressing that there had been no security breach of the nature being alleged.

“The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the spurious and completely false report alleging an attack on innocent citizens in Awgu Local Government Area. We wish to state unequivocally that no such incident occurred. The report is fake, baseless, and exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,” he said.

The commissioner urged residents to disregard the report and refrain from spreading unverified claims capable of causing fear and confusion among citizens.

He added that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah had continued to prioritise security through sustained investments aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Agbo further alleged that some individuals were attempting to undermine the state’s reputation through the dissemination of false information.

“It is unfortunate that some individuals, apparently uncomfortable with the prevailing peace, security, and stability in Enugu State, would resort to fabricating falsehoods in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points at the expense of Ndi Enugu and the state’s hard-earned reputation as one of the safest destinations in the country,” he added.

Corroborating the government’s position, the Enugu State Police Command said it had also investigated the viral video claiming that persons were killed by herdsmen at Awgu Junction along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway and found the allegation to be false.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the command said preliminary findings showed that the incident did not occur as portrayed in the video.

“The Enugu State Police Command is aware of a viral video circulating on social media alleging that persons were killed by herdsmen at Awgu Junction along Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway in the state. The Command unequivocally refutes the claim and states that the narrative being circulated is false, misleading, and intended to cause unnecessary fear, panic, and tension among residents,” the statement read.

The police said there was no report or credible evidence available to substantiate the allegation, warning against the deliberate spread of unverified and inflammatory information capable of undermining public peace and security.

The command urged members of the public to disregard the video and desist from sharing false information, warning that those found to be involved in the creation or dissemination of misinformation would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining public order across the state under the leadership of Mamman Bitrus Giwa.

Both the state government and the police command called on residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while relying only on verified and credible sources of information on security matters.

They also urged citizens to promptly report any genuine security concerns to the police and other relevant security agencies, assuring them of continued efforts to sustain peace and stability across Enugu State.

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Residents of Ayegunle Bunu in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Sunday when heavily armed bandits invaded the community, killing one person and abducting dozens of residents and travellers.

The attackers reportedly stormed the area at about 2:25 a.m., unleashing terror on the otherwise peaceful community and forcing many residents to flee for safety. Among those kidnapped were a man and his wife, while no fewer than 30 other victims were reportedly taken away at gunpoint.

Community sources disclosed that the assailants extended their operation beyond the town by setting up roadblocks along nearby highways, where they intercepted commercial vehicles and abducted passengers.

Although the exact number of abductees has not been confirmed, local accounts suggest that both residents and travellers were victims of the coordinated attack. Several other people were also said to have sustained injuries while trying to escape from the gunmen.

The incident has further heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, where communities continue to face attacks by criminal gangs despite ongoing security efforts.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had not issued any official statement on the incident. Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oyiza Saliu, for confirmation were unsuccessful.