By Sunday Ameh
No fewer than seven people have been killed and several others abducted following an attack by suspected bandits on Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, also left several houses and shops looted, properties set ablaze and livestock rustled.
Residents said the assailants stormed the community at about 8:30 p.m. and operated for more than six hours before fleeing around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen first engaged security operatives stationed in the area, preventing them from responding to the assault while other members of the gang moved through the community attacking residents.
According to the source, three worshippers were shot dead inside a mosque during the Isha’i prayer, while the total death toll from the attack stood at seven.
The eyewitness added that five of the victims were internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in Tsamaye after fleeing repeated bandit attacks in neighbouring communities.
The attackers were also said to have looted shops, burnt two of the stores, set a vehicle ablaze and carted away an unspecified number of livestock.
The exact number of abducted residents could not be immediately confirmed, as many villagers fled into nearby bushes during the attack. However, the source said at least three abductions had been verified after relatives contacted the victims’ phone lines and the suspected bandits reportedly confirmed they were in their custody.
The source further disclosed that the security personnel deployed to the area were overwhelmed after the attackers surrounded their position, limiting their ability to repel the assault.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command was aware of the attack but was still awaiting comprehensive reports.
“We are aware of the incident but we are yet to get full details as we await it,” Rufai said.
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