Bandits Kill 10-Year-Old, Abduct Married Women, Children In Sokoto

No fewer than 43 residents have been abducted by suspected bandits in coordinated attacks on Takatsaba and Tarah villages in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Residents said the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed both communities late on Wednesday night, firing indiscriminately before moving from house to house in search of victims.

A resident of Takatsaba, who requested anonymity because some of his relatives were among those abducted, told Daily Trust that the bandits invaded the village at about 11:30 p.m. and remained there for about an hour.

He said the attackers killed the 10-year-old son of Abdullahi Ado and abducted 32 people from seven households.

According to him, those abducted included nine members of Mamman Dogo’s family; five from Abdullahi Ado’s household, where the 10-year-old boy was killed; the wife of the village’s Chief Imam; two members of the Mai Unguwa’s family; two orphaned children from the family of the late Mallam Sani; eight members of Mallam Abubakar’s household, including his wives and young children; and five people from Amadu Siro’s family.

The resident added that some villagers were still unaccounted for, as many fled into the surrounding bushes during the attack.

“People scattered in different directions while trying to save their lives. Up till now, we cannot account for everyone because of the confusion that followed the attack,” he said.

He also said security operatives did not arrive to reinforce the community during the attack.

“Our security personnel are doing their best to protect us, but this time the bandits outsmarted them. The security team was positioned on the western side of the village, while the attackers entered from the south-east and carried out the operation before leaving,” he said.

The resident recalled that the village had come under attack eight days earlier, but security personnel successfully repelled the assailants.

He identified five of those abducted from Abdullahi Ado’s family as Abubakar, Basira, Amira, Aisha and Naja’atu, all aged between six and 16 years.

Expressing frustration over the recurring attacks, he said residents were not asking for amenities but for adequate security.

“We are not asking for electricity, water or any other project. What we need is security so that we can return to our farms and produce food. That is our only request,” he said.

He further alleged that many community members were reluctant to speak publicly because they feared being traced and targeted by the attackers.

In neighbouring Tarah village, another resident, who also requested anonymity, said the bandits arrived at about 11:30 p.m. and remained in the community for about 50 minutes.

He said the attackers shot and injured three residents, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

According to him, the bandits abducted 20 people but later released nine after reaching a river crossing where they were unable to move with all the captives.

He added that most of the 11 victims still being held are married women.

The resident also lamented the lack of security reinforcement, alleging that the bandits had adopted the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to hinder any response from security operatives.

He accused the authorities of neglecting the affected communities, claiming they had received little or no support despite repeated attacks.

He further alleged that, shortly before the last Ramadan, security authorities confiscated four locally procured firearms that villagers had acquired to defend themselves.

“We are only asking Nigerians to remember us in their prayers,” he appealed.

Another resident of Tarah, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 11 people were abducted during the attack.

He said residents had been keeping vigil across different parts of the village when the assailants infiltrated the community.

“Whenever night falls, everyone in the village keeps vigil in their respective areas. Despite that, the bandits still found their way into the village,” he said.

He identified the abductees as Marsiya Ya’u Gurmu, Aisha Ya’u Gurmu, Hadiza Illiti, Hajara Haruna Na’ita, Talata Atamo, Firdausi Lawali, Hafsat Na’inna, Maryam Gandi, Daudiya Haruna, Aisha Isaka and Samira Hussaini.

The latest attacks came just days after residents of Sabon Birni raised concerns over renewed bandit attacks and the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by criminal groups operating in the eastern part of Sokoto State.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he would verify the incident.