Gunmen storm Garin Idi village, abduct eight relatives of Sokoto Deputy Governor
Victims include women and children taken during early-morning motorcycle raid
Residents lament hours-long attack without security response or government action
Suspected terrorists have abducted several relatives of the Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, following a violent overnight raid on Garin Idi village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.
The attack reportedly occurred around 1:00am on Thursday when armed men, said to be riding on eight motorcycles, invaded the community and opened fire, causing panic among residents.
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Eyewitnesses said the attackers initially rounded up about 30 residents, mostly women and children, before releasing some on the spot due to limited space on their motorcycles. Eight people were eventually taken away.
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Among the abducted victims are three men and five women, some of whom are said to be close relatives of the deputy governor. Those identified include Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim (a patient), and another woman linked to the deputy governor’s family.
Residents described the attack as prolonged and frightening, saying the gunmen operated freely for about two hours without any immediate 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.
The attackers were also said to have raided a local phone-charging point, carting away over 100 mobile phones, power banks, and about ₦40,000 in cash after the operator fled for safety.
“When they entered the charging point, the operator fled. They then took phones mostly smartphones and power banks being charged, along with cash,” another witness explained.
Angry residents have appealed to authorities and the state leadership to urgently intervene, lamenting repeated attacks in the area despite its links to a top government official.
“We are appealing to him to look into our condition… it is painful that we are being neglected despite being his relatives,” a resident said.
As of press time, neither the Sokoto State Government nor the police had issued an official confirmation or response regarding the incident.
