Bandits kill vigilante, abduct several residents in fresh Sokoto attack

Suspected bandits attacked Sabon Birni town in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Monday night. They killed a member of the Sokoto Community Guards and abducted several residents during the raid.

The attack caused panic in the community as residents ran in different directions to escape. Many people fled into nearby bushes, while others hid inside their homes to avoid being captured.

Hon. Aminu Boza, the lawmaker representing the area in the State House of Assembly, confirmed the incident. He said security agencies and local authorities were still assessing the situation.

Boza explained that officials could not confirm the exact number of abducted persons yet. He said Sabon Birni is a large community, which makes early reports difficult to verify. He added that some residents may have escaped into surrounding bushes during the chaos. Others may not have been in the town when the attackers struck. He stressed that a proper search must take place before officials can confirm figures.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity gave a different account. The resident said the attackers abducted about 10 people during the raid. He also said this was the third time armed men had tried to invade the community through the same route. According to him, the attackers killed one community guard before taking residents away.

The resident added that the attackers struck around Kantin Gabas, an area close to the town’s Eid prayer ground. He said the gunmen moved quickly and left before security reinforcement arrived.

Security sources confirmed that police have launched an investigation into the incident. They said officers are still gathering information from eyewitnesses and community leaders.

Authorities have increased surveillance in the area following repeated attacks. However, residents continue to express fear over the growing insecurity in Sabon Birni and nearby communities.

The incident adds to a series of bandit attacks that have affected rural parts of Sokoto State in recent months, raising fresh concerns about safety and protection of lives and property.