Bandits have killed seven residents, abducted several others and destroyed property during a coordinated overnight attack on a rural community in Sokoto State.
Residents said the attackers overwhelmed the community after trapping security personnel, leaving them unable to respond while the assailants carried out killings, abductions, looting and livestock rustling for several hours.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen moved from one house to another, firing sporadically, stealing valuables, raiding shops and forcing an unknown number of residents away.
Also, villagers said the attackers escaped with livestock after setting parts of the community ablaze.
The attack occurred in Tsamaye village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto at about 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and continued until around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
An eyewitness told correspondents on Wednesday that seven bodies were recovered after the attackers withdrew on Wednesday morning.
He explained that the gunmen first surrounded security operatives stationed in the community before opening fire on their position.
“They blocked the security personnel from responding to our distress calls while other members of the group spread across the village attacking homes and abducting people,” the resident said.
He added that the security operatives were caught off guard despite their previous efforts to protect the community and neighbouring settlements.
“Our security personnel have consistently supported us against previous attacks, but this time they were taken by surprise and could not come to our rescue,” he said.
Moreover, the witness disclosed that three of those killed were inside a mosque when the attackers struck.
He explained that the victims were displaced persons who had fled repeated bandit attacks in neighbouring communities and sought refuge in Tsamaye.
According to him, two of the deceased were natives of Tsamaye, while the remaining five were internally displaced residents from nearby villages seeking safety in the community.
The exact number of abducted residents has yet to be confirmed, as many villagers reportedly escaped into nearby bushes when the shooting began, making it difficult to account for everyone immediately after the attack.
“We believe some residents managed to escape during the confusion. We are still trying to determine how many people were actually taken,” the eyewitness said.
He, however, disclosed that the abduction of at least three residents had been confirmed after relatives called their phone numbers and the suspected bandits allegedly answered, informing them that the victims were in their custody.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed that the command had received reports of the attack but said a comprehensive briefing was still being awaited.
“We are aware of the incident, but we are still gathering full details before providing a complete update,” the police spokesperson said.