Suspected bandits have killed a driver and two passengers after attacking a vehicle conveying commuters along the Marnona-Isa Road in Sokoto State.
The attack occurred on Wednesday evening at Kunawa village in Goronyo Local Government Area, when the gunmen reportedly intercepted the vehicle travelling from Sokoto metropolis towards Isa Local Government Area and opened fire on its occupants.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident, with its spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, disclosing that three people lost their lives in the attack.
“A driver and two others were killed by bandits at Kunawa village, Goronyo Local Government Area, along the Marnona-Isa Road,” Rufai said.
The identities of the victims had yet to be officially released as of the time of filing this report.
The police spokesperson also did not disclose the number of attackers involved, the circumstances surrounding the ambush or whether any arrests had been made in connection with the killings.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggested that some of the passengers travelling along the route might have been among about 3,000 people reportedly recruited by the Sokoto State Government and invited for further screening and the collection of their documents.
However, there was no official confirmation that any of the victims were connected to the recruitment exercise.
The attack has raised fresh concerns over the safety of motorists and commuters travelling between Sokoto metropolis and other parts of the state, particularly along highways passing through isolated communities.
The Marnona-Isa Road serves as a link for residents travelling between communities in the state, exposing commuters to potential security threats in areas affected by banditry.
The latest killings come amid persistent security concerns in parts of Sokoto State, where armed attacks on communities and travellers have resulted in fatalities, disrupted transportation and heightened anxiety among residents.
The incident is also likely to renew calls for intensified security patrols, improved intelligence gathering and stronger protection for motorists using vulnerable roads across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not provided further details on the incident or announced any specific security operations arising from the attack.
