Armed bandits have carried out coordinated night attacks on several communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The assaults left about five people dead and 22 others kidnapped.
The incidents took place between late Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday. The affected areas include Sabon Birni town, Dan Aduwa and Kwaren Gamba.
A local source said the attackers struck Sabon Birni town through the Sabon Hegi area, which lies on the outskirts. The gunmen reportedly entered from the western side near a cemetery and opened fire, which forced residents to flee.
“The attackers came in through Sabon Hegi and started shooting indiscriminately. People were running in different directions. Two people, identified as Abbas Sani and Bala Mai Laya Moriki, were killed, while eight others were abducted.”
The source added that one of those taken away is visually impaired. He also disclosed that one of the victims killed, along with five of those abducted, had travelled from Moriki in Zamfara State for fish trading.
Five injured persons are said to be receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Sabon Birni. Security personnel arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the assailants had escaped.
In a separate incident in Dan Aduwa, the attackers stormed the village around midnight and abducted three residents, including two bridesmaids and a man. A resident linked the incident to gunshots fired earlier during a wedding celebration. The victims were identified as Sabiu Saidu, Balira Halliru and Maryam Mansur.
Kwaren Gamba also came under attack. The gunmen reportedly arrived on motorcycles at about 11:05 pm. Three people were killed, while 11 others were taken away.
The lawmaker representing Sabon Birni North in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, confirmed the attacks. He did not provide details on the number of casualties.
When contacted, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he had yet to receive a full report from the Divisional Police Officer in Sabon Birni.
