Armed bandits killed the chief imam of Talluje village and at least two other residents during a coordinated attack on Talluje and Chofi communities in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The assault, which lasted nearly two hours, also resulted in the rustling of an unspecified number of livestock and forced hundreds of villagers to flee their homes.
Attack Details and Timeline
According to residents, the attackers entered Talluje and Chofi through Duma village, which shares a border with Tureta Local Government Area, riding on motorcycles. The attack began at approximately 4:00 p.m. and continued until around 6:00 p.m., according to a community leader in Danchadi district who spoke to Daily Trust. The source stated: “The attacks started around 4:00 p.m. and continued until about 6:00 p.m. The bandits killed the Chief Imam of Talluje and two other persons whose identities have yet to be confirmed.”
This incident brings to three the number of chief imams reportedly killed by terrorists in Sokoto state within the past few weeks, highlighting the escalating insecurity in the region.
Mass Displacement and Livestock Rustling
The attacks triggered mass displacement, forcing residents—mostly women and children—to flee on foot to safer areas in Danchadi and Bodinga town. The community leader added: “As I speak, many people are arriving in our communities carrying their belongings after escaping from the affected villages.” Another resident confirmed that the attackers also rustled a large number of livestock, although the exact figure could not be immediately verified.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the attack and the killing of the chief imam. The officer said: “We have received reports of the attack and have mobilised our anti-kidnapping unit to the area because there are fears the bandits may return.”
Police Response and Government Commitment
When contacted, Ahmed Rufai, the spokesperson of the Sokoto police command, stated that he had not yet been briefed on the attack. Governor Ahmed Aliyu has reiterated that the Sokoto government remains committed to defeating terrorism and restoring security across the state. The attack underscores the persistent security challenges in northwest Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target vulnerable communities.
Earlier reports from Legit.ng noted that Christopher Musa, the Minister of Defence, said the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was making deliberate efforts to include social media influencers in military operations across conflict-affected regions, enabling them to gain firsthand insight into the challenges faced by troops on the frontlines. General Musa emphasised that terrorism had become an increasingly complex threat requiring collective national action.
