Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Authorities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State, have vehemently refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that a mosque was attacked and worshippers, including an Imam, were killed by bandits in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, described the report as outright falsehood aimed at creating fear and unnecessary tension among residents.
“I don’t know any mosque that was attacked, not to talk of killing of an Imam and worshippers. The story is false,” Hashimu stated in an interview on Sunday.
Echoing the same position, the member representing Sabon Birni at the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aminu Boza, also discredited the account, insisting that there was no bandit attack on any mosque within the area.
“I don’t know how they got their story, but it is not true. No mosque was attacked by bandits,” Boza stressed.
However, security sources confirmed that troops of the Nigerian Army did engage armed bandits who attempted to infiltrate Gatawa village in the early hours of December 5, 2025. The confrontation reportedly took place along the Dan-Kamarawa–Gatawa axis.
According to the source, the bandits initially exchanged sporadic gunfire with local vigilante groups before the military responded swiftly, thwarting their advance and preventing what could have been a major assault on the community.
Four vigilante members sustained injuries during the encounter and are currently receiving medical attention.
“The rapid response of troops effectively deterred the terrorists and averted a major attack on the village. The situation is stable and under control,” the source confirmed.
With security presently tightened and normalcy restored, officials urge the public to disregard sensational reports and rely on verified information from credible authorities.
