SABON BIRNI, SOKOTO STATE – Suspected bandits have abducted at least 43 residents and killed a 10-year-old boy during coordinated attacks on Takatsaba and Tarah villages in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Residents said the heavily armed attackers stormed the two 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 The Credibility News that the gunmen invaded the village at about 11:30 p.m. and remained there for nearly an hour.
According to the resident, the attackers killed the 10-year-old son of Abdullahi Ado before abducting 32 people from seven households.
He said those kidnapped included:
- Nine members of the family of Mamman Dogo
- Five members of Abdullahi Ado’s family, whose son was killed during the attack
- The wife of the village’s Chief Imam
- Two members of the household of the Mai Unguwa (village head)
- Two orphaned children from the family of the late Mallam Sani
- Eight members of Mallam Abubakar’s household, including his wives and young children
- Five members of Amadu Siro’s family
The resident added that some villagers were still unaccounted for, as many fled into surrounding bushland 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 alleged that security personnel did not arrive to reinforce the community while the attack was in progress.
“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 Takatsaba had come under attack just eight days earlier, but security forces successfully repelled the assailants on that occasion.
He identified five abducted members of Abdullahi Ado’s family as Abubakar, Basira, Amira, Aisha, and Naja’atu, all aged between six and 16 years.
Appealing for greater protection, he said security remained the community’s most urgent need.
“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 added that many residents were reluctant to speak publicly for fear of being identified and targeted by the attackers.
In neighbouring Tarah village, another resident, who also requested anonymity, said the attackers arrived at approximately 11:30 p.m. and remained in the community for about 50 minutes.
He said three residents sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and are currently receiving medical treatment.
According to him, the bandits initially abducted 20 people but later released nine captives after reaching a river crossing where they were unable to move with all of them.
He said most of the 11 people still being held were married women.
The resident further alleged that bandits have increasingly adopted the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to delay the movement of security personnel responding to attacks.
He also accused authorities of neglecting the affected communities despite repeated incidents of violence.
According to him, security agencies confiscated four locally acquired firearms from villagers before the last Ramadan, despite the weapons having been obtained for self-defence.
“We are only asking Nigerians to remember us in their prayers,” he appealed.
Another resident of Tarah confirmed that 11 people were abducted during the raid despite community-organised night patrols.
“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 come only days after residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area warned of renewed bandit activity and the increasing use of improvised explosive devices by criminal groups operating in eastern Sokoto State.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he would verify the incident. However, as of the time of filing this report, no further official response had been received.
