A humanitarian worker, Lydia Chinenye Nwankwo, has been killed in an attack by suspected bandits in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Nwankwo was reportedly travelling with members of her team after field operations in Kajiji community on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, when the attackers opened fire on their vehicle.

According to reports, the incident occurred along the Kajiji-Shagari road as the team was returning from its assignment.

Her sister, Chisom Nwankwo, announced her death in a Facebook post on Thursday, expressing grief over the loss.

Two Others Reportedly Injured

Reports indicate that two other people travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries during the attack.

The victim’s younger sister, Victoria Nwankwo, told Daily Trust that her sister was shot in the chest, while one colleague sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and another was grazed on the head by a bullet.

She said the other occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, survived.

Victoria explained that the family became worried after Nwankwo failed to return home and could not be reached by phone. A colleague later informed them that the team had come under attack.

The deceased’s body was subsequently brought home and deposited at a morgue, according to the report.

Police Confirm Attack on Shagari Communities

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed that suspected bandits had attacked communities in Shagari Local Government Area.

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

Rufai said officers were still gathering information and could not immediately provide a comprehensive account of the attack and its casualties.

A separate report stated that a police inspector was also killed during the violence. However, the police had not released a full account of the incident at the time of reporting.

Security Concerns Grow in Sokoto

The killing has renewed concerns about the safety of rural communities and roads in Sokoto State, where armed groups have continued to pose security challenges.

Residents have called for stronger security deployments and sustained patrols in Shagari and neighbouring communities to prevent further attacks.

Nwankwo’s death has also prompted mourning among colleagues and members of the humanitarian community, who remembered her commitment to supporting vulnerable people in hard-to-reach areas.