No fewer than eight farmers have been killed and five others injured after suspected bandits attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the assailants reportedly stormed the community at about 3:00 p.m. and opened fire on residents, particularly farmers in the area.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack, saying the command was aware of the incident and had commenced efforts to gather more information.

Rufai said eight farmers were killed while five others sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers arrived in the community around 3:00 p.m. and began shooting at people.

The source alleged that the assault may have been carried out as retaliation for the recent killing of some members of the bandit group by security forces operating in the area.

“We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days,” the source said.

The attack has heightened security concerns in Ghandi and neighbouring communities, with residents, particularly farmers, increasingly worried about the activities of armed groups operating across parts of Sokoto State.

The police spokesperson said the command would provide further details on the incident after completing its information-gathering process.