Bandits kill 7, abduct 17 in renewed attack on Sokoto communities

Suspected bandits launched a renewed attack on three communities in Sokoto State, killing seven people and abducting 17, including 15 women. The communities of Dinawa, Munƙi, and Gidan Dare bore the brunt of the violence, which unfolded on Monday night. The assailants capitalized on heavy rainfall to infiltrate the areas, using a Canter truck to make their entrance around 10:30 p.m. Witnesses claim the bandits were spotted in the Canter truck offloading goods before they sped away upon sensing a vigilant response from the locals.

Upon noticing the vehicle's withdrawal, local vigilantes alerted each other, and a confrontation ensued. In the ensuing gun battle, two individuals, including a vigilante named Sani Wukari, were killed. The attackers managed to overpower the vigilantes, entering the town and continuing their attack. Over the course of four hours, five more people lost their lives, comprising two women and four others, with one of the latter being the reporter's colleague Aliyu Falke. Six women and one man were also abducted during the assault.

The attack claimed the lives of notable figures such as Malami Dogo, Chairman of Maidawa, Altine Mesi, Alhaji Shua’ibu, Balaraba Abdullahi, Hafsatu Salisu, and Sani Wukari. Among the injured are Abdullahi Maikano, Garba Nabuga, Anas Abubakar, and Falke himself, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. Maikano's injuries were deemed life-threatening, and he was treated at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

The other two injured individuals suffered gunshot wounds to their hands. Additionally, one person, identified as Ibrahim Mai Mai, was abducted from Munƙi, and nine women were taken from Gidan Dare.

Hon. Shamsu Aliyu, the lawmaker representing the Wurno Constituency, confirmed the attacks and expressed concern over the resurgence of violence in the region. He attributed the timing of the assaults to the heavy rainfall, which forced residents indoors and hindered the swift response of security personnel and local vigilantes. Furthermore, the attackers reportedly engaged in cattle rustling and looting valuables from the affected communities.