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Fresh attacks by suspected bandits have displaced thousands of residents across parts of Sokoto State, with at least 21 people feared dead and 37 others abducted in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

This comes as troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 14 kidnap victims and recovered 281 rustled livestock during a separate operation in Shagari LGA.

The latest incidents have heightened fears over the worsening security situation in the state, with residents fleeing their communities amid renewed attacks.

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said repeated attacks over the past two weeks had forced residents to abandon many communities in Sabon Birni.

“Most of the communities in Sabon Birni are now deserted because of the persistent attacks recorded over the last two weeks. People can no longer remain in their homes out of fear,” the officer said.

He added that most displaced residents had relocated to Sokoto metropolis, believing it was safer than remaining in their villages.

The latest assault occurred on Monday night when heavily armed bandits reportedly invaded Tsamaye community from about 9 p.m. until the early hours of Tuesday, killing several residents, abducting dozens, burning houses and rustling livestock.

Residents said panic spread across neighbouring villages as families fled the attack.

One resident whose relatives were among those abducted said the gunmen answered victims’ mobile phones after the attack.

“When we called our relatives, the bandits answered the phones and told us they were the ones who had taken them. They said they abducted 37 people. Most of those taken away were women and children,” he said.

The violence also triggered another tragedy as villagers attempted to escape across a river after receiving reports that the attackers were approaching.

Eyewitnesses said overloaded boats carrying fleeing families capsized, throwing about 25 people, mostly women and children, into the water. While seven people were rescued, at least 18 others were still missing as of Tuesday.

Another resident said fear of repeated attacks had forced many villagers to abandon their homes long before the latest invasion.

“Because of the frequent attacks, many people now sleep in farms and bushes instead of their houses. But this time, the bandits searched those places, woke people up and marched them away. I personally saw three infants placed on the ground while their mothers were forced into the bush,” he said.

A survivor who fled to Sokoto metropolis described the attack as the worst the community had experienced.

“We have never witnessed this level of terror. We fled with only the clothes we were wearing. Many neighbouring communities have now been deserted because everyone fears another attack,” he said.

Residents said the attackers also burnt at least two houses, rustled a large number of livestock and forced people from 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.

Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the attack but said casualty figures were still being verified.

“The incident indeed happened, but I was not personally at the scene. We are still verifying the casualty figures before making an official confirmation,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said additional security personnel had been deployed to restore calm.

“Additional security personnel have been deployed to the affected communities, and efforts are ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice while preventing further attacks,” he said.

Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Garrison rescued 14 kidnapped victims and recovered 281 rustled livestock after engaging suspected bandits in Horo Birni Village, Shagari Local Government Area.

A security source said the operation followed a distress call after bandits attacked the village and abducted residents.

“The troops made contact with the terrorists who were already in possession of the kidnapped civilians and rustled livestock.

“They engaged the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to withdraw in disarray with gunshot wounds and abandon both the victims and the livestock,” the source said.

According to the source, the rescued victims were unharmed, while the recovered livestock comprised 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels.

Two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits were also recovered.

“The operation led to the rescue of 14 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 281 livestock comprising 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels, as well as two motorcycles abandoned by the terrorists,” the source added.

He described the operation as a major success, saying the prompt military response prevented the victims from being taken into bandits’ hideouts.

“The troops are always battle-ready to tackle all forms of criminality in the country, but sustained community support, timely intelligence and vigilance remain critical to achieving lasting success,” the source said.

Despite the military success, suspected bandits also attacked Kaura, Wanke, Sage, Marake and Aggur villages in Shagari Local Government Area, rustling livestock and injuring residents.

A resident said the attackers arrived in large numbers and opened fire indiscriminately.

“They came in large numbers and started shooting. People ran into nearby bushes to save their lives. They took away many of our animals and shot two people in the legs. Those injured are now receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Shagari. We are living in fear because these attacks have become too frequent,” he said.

Another resident lamented the economic impact of the attacks.

“Most families here depend on their animals to feed their children, pay school fees and meet other needs. Losing them means losing everything. We are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our rescue before the situation gets worse,” he said.

Confirming the Shagari attacks, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, DSP Rufa’i, said the attackers later moved into Kebbe LGA.

“It is part of their tactics. Whenever they move to a place, they shoot sporadically to scare away people and, in the process, rustle their cattle,” Rufa’i said.

The latest attacks have renewed calls by residents and community leaders for increased deployment of security personnel, armoured vehicles and stronger protection for vulnerable rural communities across Sokoto State.

Reacting, the former governor and senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District, Aminu Tambuwal, expressed deep grief and concern over the renewed attacks by bandits and terrorists in parts of the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday, he condoled with the people of Kebbe LGA, as well as the family and colleagues of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Hussaini Balarabe, who was reportedly killed during a fierce gun battle with bandits in the area.

Tambuwal described the killing as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” stressing that the loss of every innocent life represents an irreparable tragedy for families and communities.

“The death of ASP Hussaini Balarabe in the line of duty is a painful reminder of the enormous sacrifices our security personnel make every day to protect our people. We mourn his death and commend his courage and dedication to duty,” he said.

He also expressed sympathy with residents of Shagari LGA following renewed terrorist attacks that subjected communities to fear and insecurity, including incidents involving the abduction of residents and the rustling of livestock.

“Our people in Shagari and other affected communities should not be left to face these criminal elements alone.

“They deserve adequate protection, and we must do everything possible to restore their confidence and enable them to return to their communities, farms, and livelihoods without fear,” he said.

The former governor also extended his condolences to the people of Sabon Birni LGA, where communities continued to suffer deadly attacks, killings, and abductions by armed groups.

He noted that the recurring attacks across the affected local government areas were not only a threat to lives and property but also a serious challenge to agriculture, commerce, and the socio-economic wellbeing of rural communities.

Tambuwal commended the courage and dedication of security personnel who continued to confront armed criminal groups despite the enormous risks involved. He urged governments at all levels and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, rapid-response capacity, and sustain military and police operations across vulnerable communities.