Bandits Kill Two, Injure Four and Abduct Nine, Including Pregnant Women in Sokoto

Suspected bandits have reportedly k*lled two residents, injured four others, and abducted nine people, including pregnant women, during a late-night attack on Barayar Zaki Community in Kwargaba Ward, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to reports, the attack occurred on the night of July 19, shortly after a heavy rainfall. The armed assailants allegedly invaded the community around 10:00 p.m. and operated for nearly three hours before leaving at approximately 12:40 a.m.

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A resident who spoke about the incident described the terrifying moments when the attackers stormed the village.

“We started hearing sporadic gunshots immediately they arrived, forcing everyone to run into the nearby bush. When we came back, we found that they had k*lled two people, injured four others and abducted nine residents”

The two victims who lost their lives were identified as Abubakar Musa and Bello Madubi.

Meanwhile, Hamisu Garba, Usman Sani, Lawali Mamman, and Isah Bako reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and are receiving treatment.

According to the resident, those abducted include six women and three men, with three pregnant women and three children said to be among the victims taken away by the attackers.

The bandits were also reported to have stolen a large number of livestock before fleeing the community.

Residents said the latest attack came less than two weeks after armed men invaded the nearby communities of Arba and Koliyal, where one person was k*lled and 12 others were abducted.

Community members expressed concern over the worsening security situation across villages in Kwargaba Ward, claiming that more than 60 residents are currently being held captive by bandits in different locations.

According to local accounts, 11 people still in captivity were abducted from Arba Community, while about 35 residents were taken from Gidan Modi. Although eight victims from Gidan Modi were reportedly released after ransom payments, many others remain in captivity.

Residents also said that seven people kidnapped from Sabon Garin Daje have yet to regain their freedom.

The community has appealed to both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to urgently strengthen security in the area, saying residents now live in constant fear of recurring attacks.

Describing the challenges faced by local residents, one community member said:

“We try to defend our communities whenever they attack, but they have superior weapons and always overpower us. Most of the people we lose are k*lled while confronting the attackers because no security help comes. We are pleading with the government to look at our communities with compassion before the situation gets worse,” he said.