Armed bandits have invaded Gidan Asarki, a community near Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, shooting a resident in the leg and rustling 28 cattle.

The attack occurred around 9pm on Sunday in the community located behind the university’s Jummat Mosque, causing panic among residents.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday, saying the attackers escaped with the livestock after shooting one person.

The police spokesperson, Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation, stating that the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.

A resident, Hussaini, said the injured man survived and was taken to a hospital for treatment.Residents also alleged that the gunmen threatened them and demanded that students living in the community be brought out.

One resident said the attack occurred during the university holiday, when many students were reportedly away from the area.Another resident, Jameel Muhammad, confirmed that the attackers took away more than 20 cattle and shot the owner in the leg.

The police, however, put the number of rustled cattle at 28.As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed reports of deaths or abductions.

The attack has renewed concerns over the security of communities surrounding the university, particularly rural settlements vulnerable to armed banditry and cattle rustling.