Bandits Abduct Sokoto Deputy Governor’s Relatives, Others

Suspected bandits have abducted eight persons in Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with some of the victims reportedly related to the state’s deputy governor.

Local sources said the attackers on eight motorcycles stormed the village around 1:00am on Thursday, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee into a nearby bush and safe locations for their lives.

Residents said the bandits operated in the village for about two hours without any security response.

“I have never heard gunshots as intense as what we experienced yesterday. Now, we only fear them when they come, but once they leave, we calm down because we have become used to it. Still, there is no help,” a resident said.

Another source, who requested anonymity, said the attackers arrived on about eight motorcycles and initially gathered around 30 people, mostly women and children, before later releasing some and taking away eight victims.

Among them, three were men and the remaining five were women.

He said the assailants released some children and others due to limited space on their motorcycles.

The victims were identified as; Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim (a patient), and a lady whose father is same father with the deputy governor (Late Aliyu). The victims were said to be mostly a members of the deputy governor’s family.

The source further disclosed that the attackers raided a phone charging point in the village, stealing over 100 mobile phones, power banks, and N40,000 in cash.

“When they entered the charging point, the operator fled. They then took phones mostly smartphones and power banks being charged, along with cash,” he said.

Residents called on the government, particularly the deputy governor, to urgently address the worsening security situation bedeviling the area.

“We are appealing to him to look into our condition. As our son and the deputy governor, it is painful that we are being neglected despite being his relatives. We support him and do not wish him ill, but he has not assisted us in this difficult situation,” one of the residents said.

They expressed concern that despite their relationship with the deputy governor, the community continues to suffer repeated attacks without urgent intervention.

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, for comment, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. (Daily trust)