Bandits kill 10-year-old boy, abduct 43 women and children in Sokoto midnight raids

In under an hour, childhood ended with a gunshot and entire households vanished into the night.

Suspected bandits armed with sophisticated weapons stormed Takatsaba and Tarah villages in Sabon Birni LGA late Wednesday, abducting no fewer than 43 residents, killing a 10-year-old boy, and leaving communities begging for nothing but protection.

—Takatsaba: “They Came From the South-East While Security Watched the West”—

At 11:30 p.m., the bandits hit Takatsaba. They spent an hour moving house to house.

Abdullahi Ado’s 10-year-old son was gunned down in his family’s home. Five of his children were taken: Abubakar, Basira, Amira, Aisha and Naja’atu, all aged between 6 and 16.

In total, 32 people from seven households were abducted, a local source was quoted by Daily Trust to have said:
– 9 from Mamman Dogo’s home
– 5 from Abdullahi Ado’s family
– The wife of the village’s Chief Imam
– 2 from the Mai Unguwa’s home
– 2 orphaned children from the late Mallam Sani’s family
– 8 from Mallam Abubakar’s household — wives and young children
– 5 from Amadu Siro’s home

“We scattered in different directions. Up till now, we cannot account for everyone,” the resident said.

He said security operatives never arrived as reinforcements. “The security team was positioned on the western side, while the attackers entered from the south-east and carried out the operation before leaving.”

This is the second attack in eight days. The first was repelled by security personnel. This time, the bandits outsmarted them.

—Tarah: IEDs Block Security, 11 Women Still in Captivity—

Fifty minutes later, Tarah was next.

Bandits shot and injured three residents, who are now in hospital. They abducted 20 people, but released nine at a river crossing where they could not move with all captives.

–’11 remain missing, most of them married women: Marsiya Ya’u Gurmu, Aisha Ya’u Gurmu, Hadiza Illiti, Hajara Haruna Na’ita, Talata Atamo, Firdausi Lawali, Hafsat Na’inna, Maryam Gandi, Daudiya Haruna, Aisha Isaka and Samira Hussaini.

Residents say the attackers are using new tactics — planting IEDs to block security response. They also claim authorities confiscated four locally procured guns villagers bought to defend themselves before the last Ramadan.

“We are not asking for electricity, water or any other project. What we need is security so that we can return to our farms and produce food. That is our only request,” a Takatsaba resident said.

“*We are only asking Nigerians to remember us in their prayers*,” a Tarah resident pleaded.

—“Authorities Have Neglected Us”—

The attacks came days after Sabon Birni residents raised alarm over renewed bandit raids and the growing use of improvised explosive devices in eastern Sokoto.

When contacted, DSP Ahmad Rufai, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, said he would verify the incident. As of press time, no update had been given.