Bandits Kidnap Over 50 in Sokoto Deputy Governor’s Village, Demand Fresh Levy

By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi

More than 50 residents of Garin Idi, the hometown of Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, were reportedly abducted by suspected bandits during a late night attack on the community.

Residents said the heavily armed assailants invaded the village on Monday night, shooting indiscriminately to create panic before dividing into two groups to carry out the operation.

One group reportedly abducted about 30 women from a residential compound, while the other stormed an Islamic school and whisked away over 20 male students and elderly persons, bringing the total number of victims to more than 50.

A resident said the bandits later released one of the captives and directed him to summon the village head, the Chief Imam and other community leaders for negotiations in the forest.

According to the resident, the gunmen demanded N1 million for the release of the women and N600,000 for the male captives. The community was able to raise N600,000, which was delivered to the bandits, leading to the release of all those abducted.

Despite freeing the victims, the bandits allegedly warned the community to pay the remaining N1 million within two days.

Residents further claimed the gunmen returned to Garin Idi on Tuesday evening, demanding either fresh victims or N300,000. Fearing another attack, villagers reportedly raised the money, after which the bandits left the area.

The repeated incursions have left residents living in fear, with many calling on the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to deploy more personnel to protect the community and neighbouring villages.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command had not been officially informed of the incident.
“We are not aware because people in most rural communities do not usually report such incidents to the police,” he said.