Midnight siege in Sokoto; villagers abducted, injured
By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
Fear and anguish gripped residents of Chacho community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State late Wednesday night, when armed bandits stormed the quiet village, leaving several people injured and families traumatised.
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The attack, which occurred at about 11 p.m., shattered the calm of the rural settlement located roughly 22 kilometres from Sokoto metropolis, as heavily armed assailants invaded the community and unleashed terror on unsuspecting residents.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of panic and confusion as villagers fled in different directions to escape the attackers, who reportedly entered the community through a route linked to the notorious Sabon Birni forest corridor.
“We were sleeping outside when the alarm was raised,” one visibly shaken resident recounted.
“People started shouting and running in all directions. Gunshots were coming from different parts of the village. It was terrifying.”
Several residents were said to have sustained injuries during the assault, while preliminary reports indicate that at least nine people, mostly women and elderly men, may have been abducted by the attackers.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the police had already launched an operation to track down the perpetrators.
According to him, security operatives were swiftly deployed to the area immediately after the attack.
“The Command is aware of the incident and has already swung into action,” Rufai said.
“Tactical teams have been deployed to the affected community, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact number of abducted persons and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
He added that the police were intensifying efforts to locate the fleeing suspects and provide support to victims affected by the attack.
Rufai further appealed to residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
“We urge members of the public to support security efforts with useful information as we work to restore calm and safeguard lives and property,” he said.
The latest assault has revived painful memories for residents of Chacho community, which in December last year witnessed a similar ordeal when a bride and several of her relatives were abducted by bandits.
The victims reportedly spent more than 30 days in captivity before they were eventually released after a ransom was paid.
For many residents, Wednesday’s attack has once again reopened wounds and deepened fears about the safety of rural communities on the outskirts of Sokoto.
“We just want to live in peace,” another resident lamented quietly. “But nights like this remind us how vulnerable we are.”
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