No fewer than 23 people lost their lives in separate incidents across Borno and Sokoto states, following a series of terrorist and bandit attacks.

Tragedy struck in Sokoto State, where 10 people drowned in a boat mishap while fleeing from bandit attacks in Zalla Bango, a remote village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Another six villagers were killed in Kwanar Kimba, also in Sabon Birni, Sokoto State.

The lawmaker representing Kwanar Kimba area of the State House of Assembly, Sa’idu Ibrahim, confirmed that six villagers were killed in the Tuesday attack.

According to him, the residents had attempted to resist the assailants, sparking a confrontation that left six people dead before the bandits eventually fled.

He added that he had visited the community to commiserate with the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, in Borno, Boko Haram terrorists stormed Banki community in Bama Local Government Area on Thursday night, killing five residents and injuring six others.

The Information Officer of Bama Local Government, Babagana Abatcha, confirmed the Borno attack, noting that the insurgents rode in on motorcycles.

“The terrorists attacked the community on Thursday night and killed five, injuring six,” Abatcha said.

He explained that the injured were receiving treatment in Cameroonian hospitals and noted that the Local Government Chairman, Modu Gujja, had visited the victims’ families with financial support.

“On behalf of the state Governor, Babagana Zulum, the local government chairman immediately visited the community and donated N500,000 each to families of those killed in the attack,” he added.

Residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the military was overwhelmed by the sudden assault.

“The military tried their best, but as you know, it was an unexpected attack. They wreaked havoc before sufficient military deployment,” one source said.

Another resident said many locals fled into neighbouring Cameroon, fearing further incursions.

“People are scared they will return. Recall that just last week they attacked Darajamal, which is not far from here. Who knows their next target? This shows the terrorists are regrouping across Bama community,” the resident said.

In a separate incident in Sokoto, suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group killed Mallam Murtala Sa’adu, 47, the village head of Sanyinna, and his neighbour, Ibrahim Mai-Kudi, in Tangaza Local Government Area.

Confirming the killings, Special Adviser to the Council Chairman, Garzali Raccah, said the assailants struck around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, targeting the victims for their roles in supporting local vigilante groups.

“Their involvement with vigilante groups angered the bandits, who had long warned against such participation,” Raccah explained.

He added that troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA later arrived to evacuate the bodies and strengthen patrols in the area.

Residents said the killings were a warning from the Lakurawa faction, which had banned villagers from joining vigilante groups and threatened death to anyone who defied their orders.

The Sokoto State Police spokesman, Deputy Superintendent Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the Zalla Bango boat accident.

He said all 10 passengers on board the ill-fated boat were recovered dead and buried in accordance with Islamic rites on Friday.

“The incident actually happened when the villagers were trying to escape from bandits. Unfortunately, all 10 passengers drowned, but their corpses have been recovered and buried accordingly,” Rufai stated.

Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government, Ayuba Hashimu, also confirmed the tragedy, saying efforts were ongoing to determine the number of victims.

Hashimu, who visited the scene, explained that the accident occurred as villagers were frantically trying to cross the river to evade another wave of attacks.

“The boat hit the edge of a collapsed culvert, which led to its breaking and eventual sinking. We are doing everything possible to rescue survivors and retrieve bodies of the deceased,” he said.

The chairman also revealed that motorised boats and life jackets recently procured by the Sokoto State Government had been distributed to flood-prone areas, including Sabon Birni, just a day before the tragedy.

Eyewitnesses who pleaded anonymity explained that most of the victims were women desperately attempting to cross the river to avoid an anticipated raid.

They said the accident happened on Thursday evening, shortly after Maghrib prayers, when the boat struck the edge of a collapsed culvert along the Goronyo–Sabon Birni road and sank.

“Many residents have resorted to fleeing their communities, crossing the water to safer areas less accessible to the bandits,” they told Sunday PUNCH.

A resident lamented that similar accidents had occurred in recent months as villagers risked dangerous crossings to escape worsening insecurity.

“This is not the first time we are witnessing such a tragedy this year,” he said.

Efforts by Sunday PUNCH to reach officials of the National Emergency Management Agency and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency for comments were unsuccessful, as neither responded to messages sent to them as of the time of filing this report.