Two residents have been killed and 11 others abducted following separate attacks by suspected bandits on Taloka and Huda communities in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attacks reportedly occurred on Monday and Tuesday as armed men invaded the communities and targeted residents and farmers.
In Taloka, several dozen suspected bandits riding about 20 motorcycles reportedly stormed the community around 12:30am on Tuesday. Residents were alerted by gunshots as the attackers moved from one house to another.
According to a resident, the bandits initially entered a room where several youths usually sleep. Although the youths escaped, one of them was reportedly abducted.
The attackers later invaded the home of Alhaji Yusuf and abducted him, his daughter and his son’s wife. His nephew, identified as Abdullahi Dan Almajiri, was reportedly killed.
The bandits also abducted two married women from the residence of Mallam Gado Dan Tsohuwa before taking two children, a boy and a girl, from the house of Alu Kansila.
Yusuf reportedly told the attackers that he could no longer continue with them because of his advanced age. He was subsequently killed, and his body was later recovered and buried by residents.
In Huda village, suspected bandits reportedly attacked farmers working on their farmlands around 9:30am on Monday. Five people were taken away on motorcycles, although one, identified as Basiru Bawa, was later released.
The remaining abducted victims were identified as Samaila Salisu, Musa Abdu, Naziru Saidu and Dan Abu Abdulkarim.
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Residents alleged that security personnel stationed in the area failed to respond despite distress calls during the attacks.
A resident appealed to the government to strengthen security in the communities, noting that repeated attacks had made farming increasingly dangerous.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was not aware of the attacks but promised to verify the reports through the Divisional Police Officer in Goronyo.
The latest incidents have increased fears among residents, with communities calling for urgent security intervention to prevent further attacks and protect farmers and other residents.
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