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A Sokoto resident was killed by suspected terrorists after he used the mosque loudspeaker to alert his community of an impending attack, in what locals are describing as an act of courage that likely saved many lives. The incident has sparked mourning across the village and renewed calls for better protection of rural communities in the state.
According to community accounts, the man noticed armed men moving toward the village in the early hours and immediately raised the alarm through the mosque’s public address system. Residents said his warning gave families time to flee and for local vigilantes to mobilize before the attackers reached the center of the community.
Security sources said the attackers, believed to be bandits operating along the Sokoto-Zamfara border corridor, targeted the village shortly after the alert was sounded. The area has recorded repeated incursions in recent months, with communities in Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo and Wurno among the worst affected. 7e84
According to Witnesses told reporters that the gunmen went straight to the mosque after entering the village. They opened fire and killed the man who had used the loudspeaker, accusing him of exposing their movement. Several other residents sustained injuries while trying to escape the attack.
The killing mirrors a pattern of violence against civilians in Sokoto. In a separate attack earlier this year, bandits struck Marnona village in Wurno LGA during morning prayers, killing one worshiper and abducting others. Another incident in Kiba Ruwa, Sabon Birni, reportedly left two people dead including an Imam, with several worshippers abducted. 4da5d3b0
Local authorities condemned the latest killing. The Sokoto State APC Chairman, Isah Achida, described attacks on worshippers as “barbaric” and “an act of cowardice,” saying targeting people in sacred places is “a direct attack on our humanity and our faith”. He added that the state government is working with security agencies to curb banditry. 4da5
Council officials have also urged residents to rely on verified information amid rising rumors. In December 2025, the Chairman of Sabon Birni LGA, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, dismissed false reports of a mosque massacre, saying an attempted attack in Gatawa was actually repelled by troops and vigilantes. Four vigilantes were injured in that clash. e29b
Security analysts note that armed groups in the North-west have increasingly used violence to intimidate communities and challenge government narratives about security gains. What began as disputes over grazing routes has evolved into mass abductions, extortion, and attacks on rural settlements. 7e84
As of press time, security agencies had not released a full statement on the latest incident. Residents are calling for more troops, better intelligence, and support for local vigilantes. Community leaders said the man who died using the loudspeaker will be remembered for putting his community first, even at the cost of his own life.
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