Bandits Attacks Sokoto Communities, Kill 5, Abduct 22 at Night

At least five people have been killed and 22 others abducted following coordinated midnight attacks by suspected bandits on three communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attacks, which occurred between 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and midnight on Wednesday, targeted Sabon Birni town, Dan Aduwa, and Kwaren Gamba, leaving residents in fear and confusion.

In Sabon Birni town, gunmen reportedly infiltrated the area through the Sabon Hegi quarters on the outskirts, advancing from the western side of a cemetery and opening fire indiscriminately.
Two victims, identified as Abbas Sani and Bala Mai Laya Moriki, were killed, while eight others were abducted.

GaskiyaCast revealed that among those kidnapped was a visually impaired man who was forcibly taken away. It added that one of the deceased and five abducted individuals had travelled from Moriki in neighbouring Zamfara State for a fish trading activity.

Five injured persons from the attack are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Sabon Birni while, security operatives reportedly arrived about 20 minutes after the assailants had fled.

In a separate incident in Dan Aduwa village bandits struck around midnight, abducting three individuals, including two bridesmaids and a man.

A resident linked the attack to celebratory gunfire during a wedding, suggesting that the noise may have attracted the attackers.

The abducted victims were identified as Sabiu Saidu, Balira Halliru, and Maryam Mansur.

Meanwhile, in Kwaren Gamba, armed men on motorcycles reportedly stormed the village at about 11:05 p.m.killing three people and abducting 11 others.

The lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza, confirmed the attacks but did not provide casualty figures.

Efforts to get an official police account were inconclusive as the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was yet to receive a detailed report from the Divisional Police Officer in Sabon Birni.