By Sokoto’s Salim Ashir Mahuta
Eight people have been kidnapped by suspected bandits in Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Sokoto State; some of the victims are allegedly related to the deputy governor of the state.
According to local sources, the attackers on eight motorcycles stormed the village at around one in the morning on Thursday, firing intermittently and forcing the locals to escape into a nearby bush and safe havens.
According to locals, there was no security response during the bandits’ roughly two-hour operation in the village.
“The gunshots we heard yesterday were the most intense I have ever heard. These days, we are only afraid of them when they arrive; once they depart, we relax because we have grown accustomed to it. “Help is still unavailable,” a resident remarked.
The attackers arrived on about eight motorcycles, according to another source who asked to remain anonymous. They first gathered about thirty people, mostly women and children, before releasing some of them and removing eight victims.
Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim (a patient), and a woman whose father is the deputy governor’s father (Late Aliyu) were the victims. According to reports, the majority of the victims were relatives of the deputy governor.
The source also revealed that the attackers stole N40,000 in cash, power banks, and more than 100 cell phones from a phone charging station in the village.
“The operator ran away when they got to the charging station. They then took cash, phones (mostly smartphones), and power banks that were being charged, he said.
Locals demanded that the government, especially the deputy governor, take immediate action to address the region’s deteriorating security situation.
We are pleading with him to investigate our situation. It hurts that, despite being his relatives, we are being disregarded as the deputy governor and our son. One of the residents stated, “We support him and do not wish him ill, but he has not assisted us in this difficult situation.”
They voiced concern that the community is still subjected to frequent attacks without prompt action, despite their relationship with the deputy governor.
As of the time this report was filed, attempts to contact DSP Ahmad Rufai, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, for comment were unsuccessful.
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