Bandits have killed three people and abducted 28 others during an attack on Kagara community in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday night, as armed assailants invaded the community and began shooting, sending residents fleeing for safety.
The attackers were said to have moved through parts of the community, targeting residents before taking several people away into the surrounding area.
Three residents were reportedly killed during the assault, while 28 others were abducted.
The latest incident has added to growing security concerns in Goronyo Local Government Area, which has recorded several attacks and abductions in recent months.
Kagara is located within Kagara Ward of Goronyo Local Government Area. The area has previously been affected by attacks on surrounding communities, including Kuda-Kuda and other settlements. Recent reports have documented repeated killings, abductions and displacement across parts of Sokoto State.
In June, for instance, suspected bandits attacked Kuda-Kuda village in Goronyo, killing four people and injuring three others, according to a security monitoring report. Another attack in Illelar Dawagware, also in Goronyo, reportedly resulted in four deaths and the abduction of 12 residents.
The continuing attacks have contributed to the displacement of residents from several communities across the state. A recent Daily Trust report documented the experiences of displaced residents in Goronyo and neighbouring areas, including families who have spent years away from their ancestral communities because of insecurity.
The security situation has also prompted increased military operations in Sokoto.
On Sunday, September 20, troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, conducted operations in different parts of the state, rescuing 23 kidnapped victims and arresting four suspected members of the Lakurawa group.
According to the military, the operations followed attacks in communities including Sabon Gari in Wurno Local Government Area. Troops also recovered six cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists during the operations.
The rescue operation came as communities in several parts of Sokoto continued to contend with attacks targeting farmers, travellers and rural settlements.
The latest assault on Kagara is therefore likely to renew calls from residents and community leaders for increased deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities and improved response to distress calls.
Beyond the immediate loss of lives and abductions, repeated attacks have affected farming and other economic activities in affected communities. Displaced residents have reported losing homes, farms, livestock and sources of income after being forced to flee their communities.
As of the time of reporting, details on the identities of the three people killed, the identities of those abducted and whether any rescue operation had been launched specifically in response to the Kagara attack were not independently confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Security agencies are expected to continue efforts to locate the abducted residents and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
