Suspected bandits have reportedly killed two people and abducted 17 others in separate attacks on communities in Sabon Birni and Wurno Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.
Residents said the attacks took place between late Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday, with the gunmen taking advantage of heavy rainfall to launch their operations.
In Tarah village, located in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, the attackers reportedly stormed the community and kidnapped seven people, including two married women identified as Lami, the wife of Sani Tela, and Hajara, the wife of Lauwali Tarno.
Five children were also taken away during the attack. According to residents, two of the children are Lami’s, while the remaining three are orphans. The children are said to be between the ages of five and nine.
The attackers also shot another resident in the leg before killing Nazifi Lauwali Kamtsa during the invasion.
In a separate incident around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, armed bandits reportedly attacked Gidan Daji Alkammu village in Wurno Local Government Area. A resident identified as Hussaini was killed, while 10 others, made up of four men and six women, were abducted.
Residents expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the affected communities, lamenting the absence of security personnel at the time of the attacks.
When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command said it would verify the report.
