Bandits abduct 9, rustle more than 200 livestock in Sokoto attack

Monday, September 28, 2026 - Suspected bandits have abducted nine residents, shot another and rustled more than 200 livestock during an attack on Illelar Dawagari community in Kagara Ward, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 8:30 pm on Saturday and continued their operation until around 11 pm.

A resident said the shooting victim, identified as Saminu Arzika, had gone outside the community to defecate when he noticed the shadows of the attackers. According to the resident, Arzika flashed his torch in their direction and saw the armed men. When he attempted to shine the light on them again, the attackers allegedly ordered that he be shot.

Arzika reportedly ran towards the community but was pursued and shot. The sound of the gunfire alerted other residents, many of whom fled into nearby bushes for safety. The resident said he had just finished eating and gone out to buy medicine before proceeding to another shop to purchase a drink when he heard the gunshot.

He said he immediately fled, jumping over the walls of several houses before reaching the bush.he attackers allegedly moved from house to house during the raid and rustled more than 200 livestock. Nine residents, comprising five males and four females, were also reportedly abducted.

The resident identified some of those abducted as Maryam Yusuf, Rukayya Abdu and a widow, Maryam Abdullahi. He said the remaining victims were children between the ages of 10 and 15, whose names he could not provide. He also disclosed that another resident was already being held by abductors before the latest attack. According to him, the victim’s family had paid a N1 million ransom, but the abductors were allegedly demanding a Bajaj motorcycle before releasing him.

Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson DSP Ahmad Rufai was contacted over the attack and said he would make enquiries and provide details. He had yet to respond as of the time of the original report. Kagara Ward has faced repeated security incidents in recent months. In June, the chief imams of Dawagari and Kuda-Kuda villages were reportedly killed, while several residents were abducted.