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Tragegy As Bandits Kill 12, Burn 6 Alive In Fresh Attack
Suspected bandits stormed Lajinge village in Sabon Birni LGA, Sokoto State, at around 11pm on Saturday and operated for over four hours.
Six people were burnt alive after gunmen poured petrol on a room where residents had taken shelter and refused to come out.
Residents said security personnel stationed just 2km away did not respond to repeated distress calls throughout the entire attack.
Sokoto State – At least 12 people are dead after suspected bandits descended on Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Six of the victims were burnt alive inside a room where they had sought refuge from the attackers.
As reported by Daily Trust, residents said the gunmen arrived at roughly 11pm on Saturday, July 19, 2026, and continued their rampage until approximately 3:30am on Sunday, with no security response throughout the entire ordeal.
6 burnt alive, 7 dead in 1 compound According to a resident who spoke anonymously, the gunmen surrounded a room where a group of people had locked themselves inside.
When those inside refused to come out, the attackers poured petrol on the structure and set it ablaze.
As occupants tried to escape through the door, they were shot, and their remains were left inside the burning room.
Those killed in the fire were identified as Mallam Wauro, also known as Mallam Roro, who was the head of the household; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives named Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the home.
A seventh person, Lawwali, was shot dead at the entrance of the same compound while attempting to flee. The remaining victims, including Yusuf and three other displaced persons who had taken refuge in the village, were shot while trying to escape.
A woman named Agada also died from severe shock during the attack.
Vigilantes overwhelmed, livestock stolen.
A local vigilante member who was on duty that night said the group was keeping watch near the village primary school when the shooting began.
They scattered and kept moving between hiding spots as the gunfire drew closer. Once the vigilantes were overpowered, the attackers moved through the village freely, going from house to house to steal cattle and sheep.
One of their rifles was positioned at a strategic point and kept firing to provide cover while others looted livestock.
The gunmen later targeted Mallam Wauro’s residence, killed him and his sons, abducted his two wives, and took all his cattle.
Residents said they could not confirm the exact number of people abducted, though some, particularly children, were later released by the bandits.
No security response for hours
Villagers said that despite making repeated distress calls, security personnel stationed at Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, both roughly two kilometres from Lajinge, did not respond at any point during the four-hour attack.
One resident described the bandits walking along the main road, laughing and smoking cigarettes, after they had overrun the village.
Community leaders had reportedly submitted multiple requests to the government to deploy security forces in the area, but those appeals went unanswered.
Residents noted that eight people were also killed in the same community about three weeks before this latest attack.
The state Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was unaware of the incident and was in transit. DSP Rufai added that he would verify upon reaching his office, but he had yet to respond by the time this report was filed.
Bandits gun down worshippers inside Sokoto mosque
Recall that bandits attacked Tsamaye village in Sokoto state’s Sabon Birni LGA on Tuesday night, July 28, spending over six hours terrorising residents.
Seven bodies were recovered Wednesday morning, July 29, after attackers spent the night raiding homes, looting shops, and rustling livestock.
At least three abductions were confirmed after relatives called victims’ phones and the bandits answered, saying they had them in custody.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
