Bandits Kill Sokoto Community Guard, Abduct Several Residents in Fresh Attack on Sabon Birni
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
Suspected bandits have killed an operative of the Sokoto Community Guards and abducted several residents during a night attack on Sabon Birni town in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Monday night, is the latest in a series of attempts by armed criminals to infiltrate the town, a community that currently shelters many displaced persons fleeing insecurity in surrounding villages.
Confirming the incident, the Member representing Sabon Birni Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza, said several people were taken away by the attackers, although the exact number of abductees remains unclear.
According to him, a proper assessment is still ongoing to determine the number of victims.
“I cannot give the exact number of people abducted because Sabon Birni is not a small community. Some residents may have fled into nearby bushes, while others might not have been in town at the time of the attack. Until a thorough search is conducted, it will be difficult to ascertain the exact figure” Boza explained.
A resident of the area, who requested anonymity, claimed that about 10 people were kidnapped during the raid.
“This is the third attempt by bandits to invade Sabon Birni, and they used the same route as in previous attacks. They killed one community guard and abducted about 10 people” the resident said.
Hon.Boza disclosed that the attack took place at Kantin Gabas, located on the outskirts of Sabon Birni near the town’s Eid prayer ground.
“We cannot say the attack did not happen in Sabon Birni because the location is just outside the town and serves as our Eid prayer ground” he added.
The lawmaker further revealed that the slain community guard sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during the attack and later died while being transported to a hospital on Tuesday morning.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had not yet received details of the incident but promised to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area for further information.
The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents, who continue to face recurring security threats despite ongoing efforts by security agencies and local vigilante groups to protect communities across the eastern part of Sokoto State.
