Suspected bandits have abducted eight persons in Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with several victims said to be relatives of the state’s Deputy Governor.
Local sources said the attackers arrived on eight motorcycles around 1:00am on Thursday, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Residents reported that the bandits operated in the village for about two hours without any security intervention. “I have never heard gunshots as intense as what we experienced yesterday. Now, we only fear them when they come, but once they leave, we calm down because we have become used to it. Still, there is no help,” one resident said.
According to sources, the attackers initially gathered about 30 people, mostly women and children, but later released some due to limited space on their motorcycles. Eight persons were taken away: three men and five women.
The victims were identified as Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim, who is a patient, and a lady described as sharing the same father with the deputy governor, the late Aliyu. Most of the victims are reportedly members of the deputy governor’s family.
The assailants also raided a phone charging point in the village, stealing over 100 mobile phones, power banks, and N40,000 in cash. “When they entered the charging point, the operator fled. They then took phones, mostly smartphones and power banks being charged, along with cash,” a resident said.
Community members appealed to the state government, particularly the deputy governor, to urgently address the worsening insecurity. “As our son and the deputy governor, it is painful that we are being neglected despite being his relatives. We support him and do not wish him ill, but he has not assisted us in this difficult situation,” one resident said.
Efforts to reach the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
By
TheTimes Nigeria
