Bandits Storm Sokoto Community, Abduct Deputy Governor’s Relatives, Others

No fewer than eight residents and relatives of the Sokoto Deputy Governor, Idris Muhammad Gobir, have reportedly been abducted in the Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.

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Naija News learnt that 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.

A resident who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust said the bandits operated in the village for about two hours without any security response.

The source said, “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.” 

Another resident also stated that the attackers arrived on about eight motorcycles and initially abducted 30 people, mostly women and children, before releasing some and taking away eight victims.

The resident said the assailants abducted three men and five women and 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 the same as the deputy governor (Late Aliyu). The victims were said to be mostly 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 ₦40,000 in cash.

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

While expressing concern for those abducted, the residents called on the government, particularly the deputy governor, to urgently address the worsening security situation bedevilling the area.

One of the residents said, “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.”