Bandits kill one, abduct many in Sokoto community attack
Suspected bandits attacked Rarah community in the Rabbah Local Government Area of Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday, killing one person and abducting several others.
According to local sources, the attack occurred around 1 a.m., shortly after a fire incident had already unsettled residents.
The gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically before kidnapping multiple people.
Residents expressed fear and frustration over the persistent attacks, calling on the government and security agencies to take immediate action.
“Our nights are filled with terror. We hear gunshots everywhere and don’t know if we will live to see another day,” lamented Bashar Lauwali, a resident.
He added that beyond the loss of lives, the repeated assaults have crippled the local economy, with many struggling to secure food and raise ransom money for kidnapped relatives.
Despite repeated pleas for help, locals say neither government officials nor security forces have visited the area.
“We urge the state and federal governments, as well as security agencies, to intervene urgently before more lives are lost. We demand increased security presence, swift action against the attackers, and tangible support for affected families,” Lauwali added.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, was unreachable at the time of filing this report.
Similarly, the state government’s special adviser on security matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd.), did not respond to calls.
