Fresh fears over insecurity in northern Nigeria have emerged after suspected bandits abducted several people, including relatives of the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, in a late night attack that has left residents shaken and calling for urgent government intervention.
The incident occurred in Garin Idi village, located in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a region that has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years. According to local sources, the assailants stormed the community in the early hours of the morning, arriving on motorcycles and firing sporadically to create panic among residents.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers operated for several hours without interruption, forcing villagers to flee into nearby bushes for safety. During the raid, the gunmen reportedly rounded up dozens of residents, including women and children, before eventually abducting a smaller group due to logistical constraints. In total, eight persons were taken away, with many of them believed to be family members of the state’s deputy governor, Idris Muhammad Gobir. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Residents described the attack as terrifying and well coordinated, noting that the gunmen appeared to have operated freely for nearly two hours without any visible security response. One local source recounted the intensity of the gunfire, saying it was unlike anything they had experienced before, highlighting the growing sense of vulnerability among communities in the area.
In addition to the abductions, the attackers reportedly looted properties within the village, including a phone charging station where they made away with mobile phones, power banks, and cash. The destruction and theft have further compounded the hardship faced by residents, many of whom are already grappling with the economic and emotional toll of repeated attacks.
The incident has once again brought attention to the persistent security challenges in Sokoto and other parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry and kidnapping have become frequent occurrences. Communities in Sabon Birni have particularly been vulnerable, with residents repeatedly appealing for stronger security presence and proactive measures to prevent further attacks.
Locals have now called on both the state government and security agencies to intensify efforts in securing the area and ensuring the safe return of those abducted. Some residents expressed frustration, noting that despite the prominence of the victims, including relatives of a top government official, their community continues to suffer from what they described as neglect and inadequate protection.
As the situation unfolds, authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident or outline steps being taken to rescue the victims. For now, fear and uncertainty linger across the affected community, as families await news of their loved ones and hope for swift intervention to curb the escalating wave of violence.
