LG dismisses mosque attack as bandits kill six in Sokoto

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Authorities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that armed men attacked a mosque in the area, killing an Imam and several worshippers.

The chairman of the council, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, described the reports as entirely false.

“I don’t know of any mosque that was attacked, let alone the killing of an Imam or worshippers. The report is simply untrue,” he told our correspondent by telephone.

A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing the area, Aminu Boza, also debunked the claims.

“No mosque was attacked on Saturday. I have no idea where that story came from, but it is not correct,” he said.

However, while officials denied the reported mosque incident, a separate attack on Gatawa town—also in Sabon Birni LGA—left six people dead and several others abducted in the early hours of Sunday.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community around 1:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and causing panic.

A resident, who requested anonymity, said local vigilantes attempted to repel the gunmen.

“Our vigilantes confronted them, but four of them lost their lives instantly,” he said, adding that two others sustained gunshot injuries, one of whom later died at the hospital.

He also said six persons—including two married women, two teenage girls and two young boys—were abducted, while livestock were carted away during the raid.

“The bandits left before security personnel arrived. We later heard gunfire between them and the security agents, but none of the abducted persons has been rescued yet,” he added.

Security agencies had yet to release an official statement on the Gatawa attack as of press time.

The spokesman for the state police command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, could not be reached.

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