Thousands of residents have been forced from their homes after armed bandits attacked two communities in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State earlier this month, the National Emergency Management Agency has confirmed.

NEMA said its assessment, carried out after attacks on June 7 and 9 in Dan Gulbi community, found widespread displacement. Many residents have taken refuge in public facilities, including JNI Primary School and Abdulbaki Model Primary School in Tureta town. Others have moved to Tsamiya Ward, Duma Ward, and neighbouring communities within the local government. Some have crossed into Gummi Local Government Area in Zamfara State.

The agency disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, following an assessment by its Sokoto Operations Office.

During the assessment, reports emerged of a separate attack on Achi Asha Ruwa community, where additional casualties were recorded. Several people sustained injuries, and shops and means of livelihood were looted and destroyed, worsening the humanitarian situation.

"Findings from the assessment revealed that the recurring attacks have displaced thousands of residents, forcing them to flee their homes in search of safety," NEMA said.

"The assessment further indicated that thousands of people have been affected by the violence, with some individuals sustaining varying degrees of injuries. Several shops and means of livelihood were also reportedly looted and destroyed during the attacks, worsening the humanitarian situation in the affected communities."

Access to some of the affected communities remains difficult due to ongoing security challenges, which NEMA said has limited humanitarian assessment and response efforts.

"The assessment team observed that access to several affected locations remains difficult due to the prevailing security challenges, posing significant constraints to humanitarian assessment and response operations," the agency stated.

NEMA said it's working with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to determine the full extent of the impact and support humanitarian interventions for affected populations.

The attacks are the latest in a series of bandit raids that have plagued parts of Sokoto and neighbouring states in recent years. Bandits often target remote farming communities, stealing cattle, kidnapping for ransom, and killing residents who resist. The Nigerian military has launched operations in the region, but the attacks have continued.

  • Attacks occurred on June 7 and 9, 2026, in Dan Gulbi community, Tureta LGA, Sokoto State.
  • Thousands displaced; many sheltering in JNI Primary School and Abdulbaki Model Primary School in Tureta town.
  • Additional attack on Achi Asha Ruwa community recorded during NEMA's assessment.
  • Some displaced persons have moved to Gummi LGA in Zamfara State.
  • Access to affected communities remains difficult due to security challenges.