Bandits kill humanitarian worker, shoot father in Sokoto attack

A humanitarian worker, Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo, has been killed in a bandit attack in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Nwankwo was reportedly attacked on Tuesday while returning from the field with members of her team.

Her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, confirmed the death in a Facebook post on Wednesday, October 7, saying the bandits opened fire on the team and also shot their father during the incident.

“Bandits attacked her and her team and shot her dad,” she said.

Lydia was reportedly involved in humanitarian and field operations work, although details of the specific assignment she was undertaking at the time of the attack were not immediately available.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that communities in Shagari Local Government Area came under attack but said it was still investigating the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and the exact number of casualties.

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The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Shagari had briefed the command on the incident.

“I just spoke with the DPO in charge of Shagari now, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government area,” Rufai said.

He added that security authorities were still gathering information and would provide further details as the investigation progresses.

The killing comes amid persistent attacks by bandits in parts of Sokoto State, particularly in rural communities where residents continue to face threats to their lives and livelihoods.

The latest incident has also raised fresh concerns over the safety of humanitarian and field workers operating in communities affected by insecurity.