Bandits kill community guard, abduct many in Sokoto

An operative of the Sokoto Community Guards was killed and several residents reportedly abducted when suspected bandits attacked Sabon Birni town in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State on Monday night. Multiple sources confirmed the incident, describing it as the latest attempt by armed criminals to infiltrate the town, which currently hosts […]

An operative of the Sokoto Community Guards was killed and several residents reportedly abducted when suspected bandits attacked Sabon Birni town in Sabon Birni Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State on Monday night.

Multiple sources confirmed the incident, describing it as the latest attempt by armed criminals to infiltrate the town, which currently hosts many displaced persons from neighbouring communities affected by insecurity.

The member representing Sabon Birni Constituency in the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Aminu Boza, confirmed the attack, noting that several people were taken away by the assailants.

However, he noted that the exact number of abductees could not yet be verified.

“I cannot give the exact number of people abducted because Sabon Birni is not a small community. Some residents may have fled into nearby bushes, while others might not have been in town at the time of the attack. Until a thorough search is conducted, it will be difficult to ascertain the exact figure,” Boza said.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that about 10 people were abducted during the attack.

“This is the third attempt by bandits to invade Sabon Birni, and they used the same route as in previous attacks. They killed one community guard and abducted about 10 people,” the resident said.

Boza explained that the attack occurred at Kantin Gabas, located on the outskirts of Sabon Birni town near the community’s Eid prayer ground.

“We cannot say the attack did not happen in Sabon Birni because the location is just outside the town and serves as our Eid prayer ground,” he said.

According to the lawmaker, the slain community guard sustained a gunshot wound to the hand during the attack and later died while being transported to a hospital on Tuesday morning.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had yet to receive details of the incident but promised to contact the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area for further information.