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Sokoto State has witnessed a fresh security scare following a night-time attack by armed bandits on Mallamawar Yari village in Kware Local Government Area, resulting in the death of one resident and the abduction of five others.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community on Saturday night, firing sporadically and creating panic. The village, located near the More area on the outskirts of Sokoto metropolis, was thrown into confusion during the assault.

Initial reports claimed the bandits disguised themselves as women in hijabs, but the Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto dismissed this, confirming that the assailants did not wear disguises. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the Police Public Relations Officer, said, “The attack is true. Five people were kidnapped and one person was killed.”

Security sources revealed that the abducted victims include three women and two men, who were taken to an unknown location.

The incident has heightened anxiety in the region as communities in North-West Nigeria continue to face recurring bandit attacks and kidnappings. Security agencies have launched operations to track the gunmen, rescue the victims, and prevent further attacks, with efforts ongoing to restore calm and strengthen surveillance across vulnerable communities.

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The Coalition Political Action Committee (COPAC), led by Aminu Datti-Ahmed, on Sunday warned the Federal Government to either release former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai immediately or file formal charges against him, saying keeping him in custody beyond the expired remand order would violate the Constitution.

The warning comes as debate grows over El-Rufai’s continued detention after the 14-day remand order earlier obtained by investigators ran out.

According to the group, that court order was granted only to allow investigators complete their work within a clearly defined period. Now that the window has closed, authorities must either take the matter to court or release the detainee, it said.

“This is not about El-Rufai. This is about the law being a level playing field. The rule of law must never become a selective weapon used against those who fall out of favour with those who hold power.

“The 14-day remand order obtained by investigators in the case involving El-Rufai has expired. That order was granted for a specific and limited purpose: to allow investigators complete their work within a defined constitutional window. It was not granted as a licence for indefinite detention, procedural manipulation, or political theatre,” the group said.

Datti-Ahmed also urged prominent opposition leaders; including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Aminu Tambuwal, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to speak out against what it described as attempts to intimidate opposition figures.

“COPAC therefore calls directly on leading opposition figures including Atiku, Peter Obi, Tambuwal, Amaechi, and Kwankwaso, along with all leaders who claim to stand for democratic accountability, to speak out immediately against any attempt to harass, intimidate or clampdown on the opposition.

“Under Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the liberty of every citizen is protected by law. Investigative detention is strictly temporary and must lead, within a reasonable time, to either formal charges before a competent court or the immediate release of the detainee.

“The Federal Government must therefore understand that it must now do one of two things in the case involving El-Rufai: file formal charges before a court or release the detainee immediately.

“Anything outside these clearly defined legal options would amount to acting illegally and unconstitutionally, and would render the continued detention an abuse of state power and a violation of the constitutional rights guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.

“Such conduct would also run contrary to Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and require that any deprivation of liberty be strictly governed by law and subject to judicial oversight,” the group added.

Beyond the immediate case, Datti-Ahmed said the situation raises broader concerns about how state institutions are used in political disputes.

“Make no mistake, the danger of this moment cannot be overstated. Nigeria is witnessing a disturbing pattern in which state institutions are willing to deploy investigative powers against political actors in a manner that raises legitimate questions about selectivity, timing, and motive.

“This is why silence from other opposition leaders at this moment is both dangerous and irresponsible,” the group stated.

Reiterating its position, Datti-Ahmed said the authorities must act strictly within the law.

“We therefore states clearly: if the government has evidence, it should file charges. If it does not, it must release the detainee.

“The law is not optional. The Constitution is not a suggestion. And the Nigerian people will not remain silent if the guarantees of liberty written into our Constitution are treated as expendable. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a police state,” the group said.

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The Police Service Commission, PSC, has denied report alleging that senior officers paid ¦ 5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP.

Spokesman of the body, Torty Njoku, who issued the denial in a statement yesterday, said: “The commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

“Contrary to the narrative peddled by the online publication, the promotion of the senior officers from Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, to ACP followed due process and established guidelines of the commission.

“The Police Service Commission, as the statutory body responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of police officers (except the Inspector-General of Police), conducts its affairs with the highest level of transparency and adherence to the Public Service Rules and best practices.

“The reference in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police is mischievous and calculated to lend false credence to a baseless story.

“The role of the IGP in the promotion process is to forward recommendations based on vacancy and performance, but the final approval rests solely with the commission as a body.

“To suggest that the commission operates a ‘pay-to-play’ system is an insult on the integrity of the Board members who oversee these exercises.

“We challenge the online medium to provide verifiable evidence to support their claim of bribery, rather than relying on hearsay from ‘insider sources.’

“The documents referenced, including the internal police wireless message, only confirm that promotions were approved, which is a routine administrative function.”

They do not substantiate the malicious allegation of financial transactions.

“The Police Service Commission invites the public to disregard this misleading report. We remain committed to merit-based promotions and oversight of the NPF.

“Any officer or member of the public with credible evidence of misconduct is encouraged to petition the commission directly, rather than feed sensationalist media narratives.

“We are considering legal action against the medium for defamation and damage to the reputation of the commission.’’