21 feared dead, 37 abducted as bandits sack Sokoto community

No fewer than 21 people are feared dead and 37 others abducted after heavily armed bandits attacked Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack, which began around 9:00 p.m. on Monday and lasted until after 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, forced thousands of residents to flee, leaving the community largely deserted. Witnesses said two houses were burnt and livestock stolen during the raid.

Residents said the assault triggered another tragedy as villagers attempted to escape across a river after receiving warnings of the approaching attackers. Overloaded boats reportedly capsized, throwing about 25 people, mostly women and children into the water. While seven were rescued, at least 18 are feared to have drowned as families continue searching for missing relatives.

A resident said confirmation of the abductions came when relatives called victims’ phones and the attackers answered, claiming responsibility for taking 37 people.

According to locals, some victims were seized inside the village, while many others were abducted from nearby farms where they had sought refuge due to repeated attacks. Residents explained that many now sleep in farms and bushes to avoid being targeted in their homes, but the attackers combed through those areas, waking people and taking them away. Most of those abducted were reportedly women and children.

Residents also criticised the response of security personnel, alleging that authorities were informed early but failed to arrive before the attackers completed their operation.

Another survivor who fled to Sokoto metropolis said the scale of the violence forced entire families to abandon the community. Many displaced persons are now staying with relatives after escaping overnight.

A local vigilante member said the bandits entered the village around 8:00 p.m., moving from house to house and forcing residents to identify wealthy households and locations of livestock. He added that security operatives in the area lacked adequate equipment to confront the attackers.

According to him, fewer than 20 residents remain in the community, while over 100 vehicles have been used to evacuate displaced villagers since the attack. He also noted that many residents had not eaten due to the trauma and panic caused by the incident.

Residents said two houses belonging to Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a vigilante member, were razed during the attack. They added that the extent of casualties within the burnt homes could not be immediately determined.

Those reported killed include Kabiru Mallam Tanimu, Ayuba Mallam Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, while several others remain missing.

The attack has also displaced residents from surrounding communities, including Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Mu’azu, Arawa, Kuru, Zangon Mallam, Mai Hurde, Zugun, Gidan Na Birni, Mashaya and Marina.

The Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the incident but said casualty figures were yet to be independently verified.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, also confirmed the attack, adding that additional security personnel had been deployed to restore calm and prevent further violence.

The incident highlights the worsening insecurity in Sabon Birni, one of the hardest-hit areas in north-west Nigeria, where armed groups continue to carry out deadly raids, abductions and mass displacement despite ongoing security operations.