Bandits attack Sokoto communities, kill 7, abduct 17

Suspected bandits have killed seven people and abducted 17 others, including 15 women, in attacks on three communities in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The affected communities are Dinawa, Munƙi and Gidan Dare, where the attackers reportedly operated for several hours on Monday night, taking advantage of heavy rainfall.

Chairman of the Dinawa Vigilante Group, Aliyu Falke, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits were allegedly brought into the area in a Canter truck at about 10:30pm.

Falke said vigilantes noticed the truck parked outside the community and approached it, but the driver sped away.

About 15 minutes later, he said, the attackers opened fire, killing two people, including a vigilante identified as Sani Wukari.

The vigilantes engaged the bandits in a gun battle but were eventually overpowered, allowing the attackers to enter the town.

“Five other people were killed, including two women. They also injured four people, including myself, and abducted six women and one man,” Falke said.

He said the attackers operated for about four hours before police personnel arrived in two armoured vehicles and engaged them, forcing them to retreat.

Those killed in the Dinawa attack were identified as Malami Dogo, Chairman Maidawa, Altine Mesi, Alhaji Shua’ibu, Balaraba Abdullahi, Hafsatu Salisu and Sani Wukari.

The injured victims include Abdullahi Maikano, Garba Nabuga and Anas Abubakar.

Falke said he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was recovering, while Maikano was receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

He added that one person, identified as Ibrahim Mai Mai, was abducted from Munƙi, while nine women were kidnapped from Gidan Dare.

The lawmaker representing Wurno Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Shamsu Aliyu, also confirmed the attacks and visited Dinawa to sympathise with the affected residents.

He described the incident as devastating and expressed concern over the renewed attacks in the area.

Residents said the attackers exploited the heavy downpour, which forced many residents indoors and made it difficult for security personnel and vigilantes to respond swiftly.

The bandits also reportedly rustled an unspecified number of cattle and looted valuables during the attacks.