Metro

Many Vigilante Members Killed, Others Missing As Bandits Attack Sokoto Community

Published

7 months ago

May 4, 2025

No fewer than 11 local vigilante members have been confirmed dead following a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits and unconfirmed numbers of vigilantes in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to The PUNCH, the tensed standoff between these two parties occurred on Friday, when members of the community-based vigilante group intercepted a group of about 40 bandits attempting to raid Magonho village.

The assailants, according to a local source from the community, rode on about 20 motorcycles and were heavily armed, and they reportedly opened fire after their attack was thwarted.

The source said, “Initially, it was confirmed that two vigilantes were killed in the early exchange of gunfire.

“The number rose to 11 by Saturday after security operatives recovered more bodies from the surrounding Lakurawa forest enclave, believed to be a stronghold of the armed group.”

Another eyewitness revealed that the vigilantes had mobilised quickly in response to intelligence about the bandits’ movements, managing to repel the first wave of the assault and recover some of the rustled livestock.

He said following the retreat, troops from the Forward Operating Base in Masallaci launched a pursuit operation, successfully reclaiming some of the stolen animals.

“The bandits returned to Magonho shortly after their initial retreat, and they set fire on the community’s MTN communication’ mast, and unleashed sporadic gunfire before fleeing again into the forest”

The source, however, confirmed that efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining corpses and locate missing vigilantes.

“Security forces, including soldiers and personnel from other agencies stationed in Binji and Racca, are coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the dense Lakurawa forest.”

The latest attack has reignited concerns over the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Sokoto State, particularly in its rural communities, where vigilante groups often serve as the first line of defense against criminal gangs.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto Police Command, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the attack and the MTN mast that was set ablaze, but could not confirm the figure of the vigilantes killed at the time of filing this report.

According to him, “Yes, there was a report of attack in the area and the setting up of MTN mast in the community.

“On the number of casualties, I would have to get back to you on the figure as I cannot confirm the figure for now”

Metro

I Provide Four Square Meals A Day For My Wife, Man Tells Court

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

A commercial mototrcyclist, Malam Isma’il Abubakar, has told a Shari’a Court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna State, that he provides ‘four square meals’ for his wife every day.

Isma’il made this known while responding to his wife, Zainab Saleh’s allegations that he does not provide food for her.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she also alleged that her husband does not respect her parents.

She said she was done with their 10-year marriage and wanted divorce.

Isma’il, however, prayed the court to give him time to settle the dispute with his wife.

The judge, Malam Malam Anas Khalifa, asked Zainab to provide witnesses who can testify to her claims.

He ordered the couple to present their parents or guardians in court.

Metro

Court Dissolves Marriage, Orders Man To Pay N30,000 Per Month For Kids’ Food

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

An Area Court at Centre-igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, has dissolved the nine-year-old marriage between a woman, Bilikis Abake and her husband, Kehinde Bintin, over claims of domestic violence.

Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Mr Idris Etsu, held that the respondent, had sent a letter to the court through the bailiff, releasing his wife.

Etsu, consequently, dissolved the marriage between both parties, but ordered the woman to observe three months iddah (waiting) period, before she could remarry again.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the court awarded custody of the two children of the marriage, who are eight-year-old and six-year-old, to their mother.

The court ordered the respondent to pay the sum of N30,000, as monthly maintenance fee.

He held that the father should be responsible for his children’s school fees, and should be allowed unrestricted access to his children, except at odd hours.

Metro

‘My Husband Kept Coffin Under Our Bed, Planned To Use Our Child For Ritual’

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

In a chilling case that shocked Matero Local Court, Zambia, 36-year-old woman from Chisamba has been granted divorce from her husband, whom she accused of attempting to sacrifice their two children.

Bertha Mumbi told the court that her husband, Abel Ngoma, 46, of Chibombo, allegedly plotted to kill their two daughters—aged 11 years and 7 years as part of ritual instructions he received from a witchdoctor in 2021.

According to Zambia Observer, testifying before the magistrate, Lewis Mumba Bertha said that Abel even made a small coffin in preparation for the supposed death of their firstborn and kept it in their bedroom for four consecutive nights after she refused to participate in the scheme.

“By then, he had already made a small coffin in readiness for the death of my firstborn. He never told me about the coffin he made. We slept for four days with it under our bed,” she said.

Bertha said the plan was brought to light by the witchdoctor’s informant, who approached her to demand compensation for cancelling the agreement, since she had refused to consent to the sacrifice.