Sokoto attack: Sister says bandits shot humanitarian worker in the chest

Victoria Nwankwo, the younger sister of Lydia Chinenye, has described how bandits killed the humanitarian worker in Sokoto State. According to Daily Trust, the attackers fired on a vehicle transporting humanitarian personnel along the Kajoni-Shagari road, resulting in Nwankwo's death. The incident took place at roughly 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as the workers were heading back to Sokoto after conducting field operations in Tambuwal Local Government Area. Nwankwo, a field operations professional and humanitarian, had worked with non-governmental and development organizations in Sokoto. Victoria Nwankwo confirmed her sister's death to Daily Trust on Thursday, October 8, stating that Lydia was struck in the chest during the assault. She said five people were inside the vehicle when the attackers began shooting. Victoria said her sister was hit in the chest, one colleague was shot in the leg, and another suffered a graze on the head from a bullet. The remaining passengers and the driver survived, she said, while Lydia was the only fatality from the injuries. Victoria added that the family grew concerned when Lydia did not come home and could not be reached by phone. A colleague later told the family that the team had been attacked while returning from Tambuwal. Lydia's body was brought home in a Hilux vehicle at about 11 p.m., hours after the attack, and was later placed in a morgue, she said. Comrade Bello Shehu Gwadabawa, chairman of the Coalition of NGOs in Sokoto, also confirmed he had been told about the death. He said he could not provide immediate details because he was out of town. According to him, the deceased was working with a development partner that supports the Sokoto State Ministry of Health. In a separate statement, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed an attack on communities in Shagari Local Government Area and said a police inspector was also killed. DSP Ahmed Rufai, the command's spokesman, told Daily Trust that the Divisional Police Officer for Shagari had briefed the state headquarters. Rufai said the command was still gathering information and could not yet give details on the number of casualties or the damage. He said he had just spoken with the DPO, who confirmed the attack on some communities in the local government, and that authorities were still working on the matter. He said he could not provide details until he had gathered more information and would follow up.