Bandits Kill Five, Abduct Several Others in Midnight Raids on Sokoto Communities

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

Sources, who spoke anonymously, said the attacks occurred between 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, targeting Sabon Birni town, Dan Aduwa, and Kwaren Gamba.

In Sabon Birni town, the attackers reportedly entered through the Sabon Hegi area on the outskirts, advancing from the western side of a cemetery. Residents said the gunmen fired indiscriminately, sending people fleeing in panic.

Two victims, identified as Abbas Sani and Bala Mai Laya Moriki, were killed, while eight others were abducted. A visually impaired man was said to be among those taken.

According to sources, one of the deceased and five of the abducted victims had travelled from Moriki in Zamfara State for a fish business.

Five injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Sabon Birni. Residents said security personnel arrived about 20 minutes after the attackers had fled.

In Dan Aduwa village, bandits reportedly struck around midnight, abducting three people, including two bridesmaids and a man. A resident linked the incident to gunfire during a wedding celebration shortly before the attack.

The victims were identified as Sabiu Saidu, Balira Halliru, and Maryam Mansur. No deaths or injuries were recorded in the village.

In Kwaren Gamba, the attackers reportedly arrived on motorcycles at about 11:05 p.m., killing three people and abducting 11 others.

Residents said the victims included Malam Yakubu, his son Kabir Yakubu, and another individual identified as Yakubu. Eleven others, six men and five women, were taken by the assailants.

Security operatives were later said to have intervened, preventing further casualties.

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

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he had yet to receive full details from the Divisional Police Officer in Sabon Birni as of the time of filing this report.