At least five people have been killed and 22 others abducted following coordinated overnight attacks by suspected bandits in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Residents who spoke anonymously said the assaults occurred between late Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday, targeting Sabon Birni town, Dan Aduwa, and Kwaren Gamba.
In Sabon Birni town, gunmen reportedly entered through the Sabon Hegi area on the outskirts, approaching from the western side near a cemetery. Witnesses said the attackers fired indiscriminately, triggering panic as residents fled for safety.
Two victims, identified as Abbas Sani and Bala Mai Laya Moriki, were killed, while eight others were taken away. Among those abducted was a visually impaired man, according to a resident.
Sources also revealed that one of those killed and five of the abducted victims had travelled from Moriki in Zamfara State for fish trading. Five injured persons are currently receiving treatment at a general hospital in Sabon Birni.
In Dan Aduwa village, the attackers struck around midnight, abducting three individuals, including two bridesmaids and a man. A resident linked the incident to gunfire during a wedding celebration earlier that night.
“Shortly after some youths fired locally made guns at a wedding, the bandits invaded and took three people,” the source said. The abducted victims were identified as Sabiu Saidu, Balira Halliru, and Maryam Mansur. No fatalities were recorded in the village.
Meanwhile, in Kwaren Gamba, the assailants reportedly arrived on motorcycles around 11:05 p.m., killing three people and abducting 11 others, including six men and five women.
The deceased were identified as Malam Yakubu, his son Kabir Yakubu, and another resident simply identified as Yakubu. Residents said security operatives later responded, preventing further casualties.
A member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Aminu Boza, confirmed the incidents but did not provide casualty figures.
As of the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Police Command said it was still gathering details, with spokesperson Ahmad Rufai noting that he had yet to receive a full briefing from the Divisional Police Officer in Sabon Birni.
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