Early morning assault in Tangaza LGA leaves multiple casualties; residents call for urgent security intervention
TANGAZA, Nigeria | July 2, 2025
A deadly assault by suspected armed bandits in Kwallajiya, a rural village in Sokoto State’s Tangaza Local Government Area, has left at least 15 people dead and several others injured, according to local sources.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, targeted the Mogonho area of the community. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived without warning and began shooting indiscriminately, catching residents off guard.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the attackers were allegedly led by a known bandit kingpin identified as Charambe. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, though it aligns with a string of similar attacks linked to bandit groups operating near the Nigeria-Niger Republic border.
Local authorities, including the Executive Chairman of Tangaza LGA, Hon. Isa Salihu Bashir Kalanjeni, visited the scene shortly after the incident and participated in the mass burial of the victims. Seven survivors with gunshot wounds are currently receiving medical attention at local health facilities.
“The people of Sokoto have endured enough bloodshed,” said one resident, who asked to remain anonymous. “We urge the government to act decisively, and for our communities to stop shielding those responsible for these atrocities.”
Tangaza and surrounding border communities, including Gwadabawa and Illela, have increasingly become flashpoints for armed violence due to porous international borders and limited law enforcement presence. Residents have repeatedly blamed internal collaborators for harboring and enabling criminal elements in the region.
In the aftermath of the attack, grief and frustration were palpable. Community members offered prayers for the victims and called on both federal and state governments to scale up intelligence gathering, border security, and rapid response operations.
“May Allah forgive the deceased and bring an end to this violence in our land,” another villager said, reflecting the community’s deep sorrow and longing for peace.
As investigations into the Kwallajiya killings continue, the Sokoto State Police Command has yet to release an official statement. The incident marks another grim reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms in Nigeria’s northwest.
