At least 21 people are feared dead while 37 others were reportedly abducted after heavily armed terrorists attacked Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The assault, which residents said was the second on the community within one week, began around 9 p.m. on Monday and continued until after 3 a.m. on Tuesday. The attack forced thousands of residents to flee their homes, while two houses were set ablaze and livestock were stolen.
Residents identified some of those killed as Kabiru Tanimu, Ayuba Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, although several other people are still unaccounted for.
The latest incident comes days after terrorists invaded the same community last Wednesday, killing eight residents, including three worshippers inside a mosque. The repeated attacks have intensified fears over the worsening security situation in Sabon Birni, one of the local government areas most affected by banditry in Sokoto State and the wider North-West.
Residents said another tragedy occurred when villagers tried to escape across a river after learning that the attackers were approaching. The boats carrying them reportedly became overloaded and capsized, throwing about 25 people, mostly women and children, into the water.
Seven people were rescued alive, while 18 others are feared to have drowned as relatives continued searching for missing family members.
A resident who escaped from the village said relatives who called the phones of missing persons were answered by the attackers, who claimed responsibility for abducting 37 people.
He explained that many residents no longer sleep inside the village because of recurring attacks and instead spend nights in nearby farms and bushes. According to him, the terrorists searched those areas, woke people up and took them away.
He added that most of the abducted victims were women and children and said he saw three infants placed on the ground while their mothers were led away.
Another resident who fled to Sokoto metropolis on Tuesday morning said the community had been virtually deserted, with many people seeking refuge with relatives.
A local vigilante member said the attackers entered the village around 8 p.m. and moved from house to house, forcing residents to identify wealthy households and locations where livestock were kept.
He said vigilantes contacted security personnel stationed in the area for support but were told they lacked adequate equipment to confront the attackers.
According to him, security operatives urgently need Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to respond effectively to attacks across the difficult terrain.
The vigilante member added that fewer than 20 residents remained in the community after the attack, while more than 100 vehicles had been used to evacuate displaced villagers.
Residents also said the terrorists burned the houses of Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a vigilante member. They said the extent of the loss could not immediately be determined because the buildings and property were completely destroyed.
The attack has reportedly forced residents of several surrounding communities, including Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Mu’azu, Arawa, Kuru, Zangon Mallam, Mai Hurde, Zugun, Gidan Na Birni, Mashaya and Marina, to flee their homes.
Displaced residents appealed to the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to deploy additional security personnel and provide APCs so that security forces can regain control of the area and enable families to return home safely.
Sabon Birni Local Government Chairman, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed that the attack occurred but said he could not independently verify the casualty figures.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufai, also confirmed the incident and said additional security personnel had been deployed to restore peace and prevent further attacks in the affected communities.
