Residents of Chacho Village in Sokoto State have been thrown into fear and uncertainty after suspected terrorists invaded the community, abducting 9 persons and injuring 2 others during a late-night attack.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night in Wurno Local Government Area, reportedly saw the armed attackers storm the village and fire sporadically, forcing residents to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden assault shattered the fragile calm in the community and revived painful memories of a similar incident last year when a bride-to-be was kidnapped just a day before her wedding.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers emerged unexpectedly from the Sabon Birni forest axis and began shooting indiscriminately.
“They just came in their large number from around the Sabon Birni forest axis and started firing shots some minutes to 12 midnight. The deafning sounds of the gunshots caused panic amongst locals hence forcing everyone to scamper for safety,” the eyewitness said.
Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the community had since relied heavily on local vigilantes following last year’s incident, but the attackers still managed to overpower local security efforts.
According to the source, the scale and timing of the attack caught villagers off guard.
After the attackers fled, residents discovered that nine persons — seven women and two men — had been abducted, while two others sustained injuries while attempting to escape the gunfire.
The attack has heightened anxiety among residents who fear a resurgence of violent activities in the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said details of the attack were still being compiled.
He stated that the command would provide full information after receiving a comprehensive briefing on the incident.
The latest attack adds to growing security concerns in parts of Sokoto State, where rural communities have continued to experience raids, kidnappings and violent assaults by armed groups.