Suspected bandits have killed an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Hussaini Balarabe, and a 70-year-old resident, Bala Wakili, during an attack on Kurya village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday night when the armed attackers invaded the community, allegedly in an attempt to rustle cattle. The assault triggered a rapid response from security personnel after residents raised an alarm.
According to the Sokoto State Police Command, a combined team of police operatives and personnel of the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps moved to confront the attackers. The ensuing gun battle resulted in the death of the police officer and the elderly resident.
A third resident, identified as Salisu Bala, was also injured during the attack. He was subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment, although the specific facility where he is receiving care was not disclosed.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the attackers also set fire to two security vehicles during the confrontation. The vehicles were identified as a police patrol vehicle and another belonging to the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps.
Rufai explained that the security intervention succeeded in disrupting the alleged cattle-rustling operation. The livestock reportedly scattered into nearby forests as the attackers withdrew from the community.
The police spokesman further disclosed that the assailants suffered what security authorities described as heavy casualties during the exchange of fire. However, the exact number of suspected bandits killed or injured could not immediately be established because the attackers retreated into the forest.
Security operatives have since launched efforts to track the fleeing attackers. According to the police, the objective is to locate and apprehend those responsible for the assault and bring them to justice.
The remains of ASP Hussaini Balarabe were reportedly deposited at an undisclosed hospital for autopsy. His death represents another loss for security personnel operating in communities facing persistent attacks by armed criminal groups.
The latest incident has heightened concerns about the security situation in parts of Sokoto State, particularly rural communities located close to forested areas that can provide escape routes for armed groups. Residents in affected communities have continued to call for stronger surveillance, quicker security responses and sustained operations to prevent further attacks.
The attack also underscores the risks faced by police officers and community security personnel deployed to protect vulnerable rural settlements. As security agencies continue the search for the fleeing suspects, residents are expected to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities by providing timely information that could assist ongoing efforts to restore security in the area.
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