Terror returned to Bauchi on Sunday night as ruthless bandits stormed the quiet Zalau community in Toro LGA, killing a respected community volunteer Alhaji Muhammad Bakoshi and kidnapping his wife, just two weeks after she delivered a baby.
Security analyst Bakastine, posting on X, warned that the attack shows how far bandit groups have extended their reach into areas once considered safe.
“The abduction of Mrs. Bakoshi, coupled with the cold-blooded killing of Alhaji Bakoshi, signals the alarming reach of bandit groups beyond their traditional strongholds. Communities that were previously considered relatively safe are now at risk, and urgent intervention is required,” he said.
Shockwaves ripped through the Zalau community as residents mourned Bakoshi, a man many described as the backbone of local peace and volunteer security efforts.
“He was dedicated to the welfare of our community,” a resident said, demanding anonymity out of fear.
The killing adds to a disturbing pattern, where bandits no longer sticking to remote enclaves, but now target individuals involved in community service, making it a dangerous shift in their operations.
Across Toro LGA, fear has become the new normal. Night travel is dwindling, streets empty early, and residents say they feel exposed as bandit attacks creep closer to home.
Security experts warn the spread of these midnight raids shows just how urgent the region’s security crisis has become, and how quickly government action is needed before more communities fall victim.
