Posted by Chinenye on Thu 08th Oct, 2026 - tori.ng
An aid worker has been killed after bandits attacked her team while they were returning from work in Sokoto State.
(Bandit attack. Photo by the Guardian)
Humanitarian and field operations professional Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo has been killed in an attack by bandits in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, confirmed the news in an online post on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
She said Lydia and her team were attacked on Tuesday, October 6 while returning from fieldwork, and that the bandits shot her dead.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed an attack on communities in Shagari but said it is still gathering details about the incident and the number of victims.
Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufai said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari had confirmed the attack and promised to share more once he has full information.
The attack followed reports of armed bandits moving around farmlands and communities, especially towards Sanyin Nawal village.
A separate account claims the gunmen moved through farmlands, stopped vehicles and robbed travellers before going through nearby villages.
A motorcycle was also said to have been set on fire.
The same account says the attackers met a passenger vehicle around Maghrib on their way back and opened fire.
A police inspector named as Isah Muhammad Girkau was reportedly hit by a bullet and later died from his injuries. Police have not yet confirmed his identity or the details of how he died.