Terrorists Kill 21, Abduct 37 in Fresh Attack

No fewer than 21 people are feared dead, while 37 others were abducted after heavily armed terrorists attacked Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The latest assault, which residents said began around 9 p.m. on Monday and lasted until after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, forced thousands of people to flee the community. It was the second deadly attack on the area within one week.

Residents said the attackers killed several people, kidnapped dozens, burned houses, stole livestock and left the community almost empty. Among those confirmed dead were Kabiru Tanimu, Ayuba Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, while many other residents are still missing.

The fresh attack came only days after terrorists invaded the same community, killing eight people, including three worshippers inside a mosque. The repeated attacks have renewed fears over the worsening security situation in Sabon Birni, one of the hardest-hit areas in Sokoto State.

During the latest invasion, another tragedy unfolded as villagers tried to escape across a river after receiving reports that the terrorists were approaching. Residents said overloaded boats carrying fleeing families capsized, throwing passengers into the water.

According to community members, about 25 people, mostly women and children, were on the boats. Seven were rescued, while 18 others are feared to have drowned. Families have continued searching for relatives who remain missing.

Residents also disclosed that they discovered 37 people had been kidnapped after calling the mobile phones of missing family members, only for the attackers to answer and confirm they were holding the victims.

Many of those abducted were reportedly taken from nearby farms where they had gone to spend the night to avoid previous attacks on the village. Residents said women and children made up most of those kidnapped, while infants were left behind during the raid.

Community members expressed disappointment over the response from security agencies, claiming that although security personnel were informed early about the attack, no reinforcement arrived before the terrorists completed their operation and left the area.

Another resident who escaped to Sokoto metropolis said many families had abandoned the community after witnessing the repeated attacks and now rely on relatives for shelter.

A member of the local vigilante group said the attackers entered the village in the evening, moving from house to house and forcing residents to identify wealthy families and locations where livestock were kept. He added that the local security team lacked the equipment needed to confront the terrorists effectively.

The vigilante member appealed for the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers and additional security personnel to help protect communities across the area, saying the difficult terrain makes it hard to repel attacks without stronger support.

Residents said more than 100 vehicles have transported displaced villagers from the affected communities since the attack, leaving fewer than 20 people behind in Tsamaye. They added that fear and trauma have prevented many families from carrying out normal daily activities.

The terrorists also set fire to two houses belonging to Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a vigilante member whose family and property were caught in the attack.

The violence has forced residents from several neighbouring 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 abandon their homes.

Displaced residents appealed to both the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security in the area and provide the equipment needed for security operatives to reclaim the affected communities.

Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed that the attack took place but said he was still verifying the number of casualties before making an official statement.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufai, also confirmed the incident and said additional security personnel had been deployed to restore calm and prevent further attacks in the affected communities.