At least 21 people have been killed, 37 others abducted and several residents remain missing after heavily armed bandits attacked Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, triggering a night of terror that forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
The assault began at about 9 p.m. on Monday and continued until after 3 a.m. on Tuesday, according to residents, who said heavily armed bandits moved from house to house, killing villagers, setting homes ablaze and rustling livestock before retreating.
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As panic spread through the community, many families attempted to escape by crossing a nearby river. However, two overloaded boats capsized, throwing about 25 people, mostly women and children, into the water.
Seven people were rescued, while 18 others remained missing and were feared drowned, raising concerns that the death toll could rise further.
Residents said the attackers also forced villagers to identify wealthy residents and livestock owners before abducting dozens of people.
Some later claimed the gunmen answered calls placed to the mobile phones of missing residents and said they were holding 37 captives.
“Because of frequent attacks, people no longer sleep in their homes,” one resident told Daily Trust. “The bandits searched the farms, woke people up and marched them away. I saw three babies left behind after their mothers were taken.”
The latest violence highlights the worsening security situation in parts of north-west Nigeria, where bandit groups have carried out repeated attacks on rural communities, targeting civilians for ransom, livestock theft and intimidation.
Sabon Birni Local Government Area has experienced several deadly raids in recent years despite ongoing military and police operations.
Residents accused security agencies of failing to respond despite receiving distress calls while the attack was unfolding.
“We informed them early enough, but no reinforcement came,” another resident said.
A local vigilante, who requested anonymity, said security personnel stationed in the area acknowledged they lacked the equipment needed to confront the attackers effectively.
“We also contacted our traditional ruler, but there was little he could do. When the gunfire intensified, we had no option but to hide,” the vigilante said, appealing for the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers to improve security operations in the difficult terrain.
The attack left Tsamaye largely deserted, with residents reporting that fewer than 20 people remained in the community after more than 100 vehicles evacuated displaced families.
Several neighbouring settlements, including Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Mu’azu and Arawa, were also reportedly abandoned as fearful residents fled.
Among those confirmed killed were Kabiru Mallam Tanimu, Ayuba Mallam Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, while the homes of Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a local vigilante member who was reportedly away defending the community, were destroyed during the attack.
Sabon Birni Local Government Chairman Ayuba Hashimu confirmed the incident but said authorities were still verifying the casualty figures.
Meanwhile, DSP Ahmad Rufai, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, said additional security personnel had been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
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The latest attack has renewed calls from displaced residents for the Federal Government and the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security across vulnerable communities, improve emergency response capabilities and provide security forces with the equipment needed to combat increasingly organised armed groups.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
