Fear and grief have gripped communities in Sokoto State after suspected bandits killed two people and abducted 17 others, including three orphaned children, during coordinated attacks in Sabon Birni and Wurno local government areas.
Residents said the attacks occurred late Tuesday and continued into the early hours of Wednesday, with the assailants taking advantage of heavy rainfall to strike vulnerable communities.
In Tarah village, located in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, armed men reportedly invaded the community around 10 p.m. According to residents, the attackers arrived on foot and exploited the poor weather conditions to evade detection.
A resident, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, said villagers attempted to resist the attackers but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the bandits. He explained that the gunmen moved from house to house, forcing their way into homes in search of victims.
Many buildings in the area were reportedly deserted, as several residents had previously fled because of persistent insecurity. Despite this, the attackers succeeded in abducting two married women identified as Lami, wife of Sani Tela, and Hajara, wife of Lauwali Tarno, along with five children.
Among the kidnapped children are three orphans whose father is deceased. Residents said two of the children belong to one of the abducted women and are believed to be between five and nine years old, deepening concerns for their safety.
The attackers also killed a resident identified as Nazifi Lauwali Kamtsa and shot another person in the leg. The injured victim was later taken to the Orthopedic Hospital in Wamakko for medical treatment.
Residents expressed frustration over the absence of security personnel during the attack, saying communities have increasingly relied on self-organized night patrols to protect themselves from recurring raids. One resident noted that insecurity has persisted in the area for several years, forcing many people to live in constant fear.
In a separate incident, suspected bandits attacked Gidan Daji Alkammu village in Wurno Local Government Area around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. Residents said the gunmen killed a man identified as Hussaini and abducted 10 others, including six women and four men.
Witnesses said the heavy rainfall at the time of the attack helped the assailants carry out the operation and escape with their captives. The Sokoto State Police Command said it was verifying reports of the incidents. Police spokesperson DSP Ahmad Rufai stated that he would obtain details of the attacks, but no official update had been released at the time of filing the report.
The latest incidents add to growing concerns over worsening banditry across parts of Sokoto State, particularly in Sabon Birni, where residents say attacks have become more frequent in recent weeks.
