Gunmen Kidnap Two Pregnant Women, Three Others in Sokoto Village

Gunmen Kidnap Two Pregnant Women, Three Others in Sokoto Village 

Sokoto, Nigeria — Armed bandits have abducted five people, including two heavily pregnant women, during a violent attack on Maiwa Village in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The incident occurred on Saturday, March 28, 2026, raising fresh concerns about security in the region.

A local resident, speaking anonymously, said the attackers arrived on seven motorcycles around 5 p.m., firing shots into the air to intimidate villagers. Many residents had gathered at the mosque when the bandits struck.

“They came and met us at the mosque, and before they shot in the air, I ran toward the police post,” the source said. “But the police fled when two bandits pursued me on motorcycles. After I escaped, the attackers went into homes and abducted the victims.”

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The kidnapped victims have been identified as Sadiya Umar, Firdausi Umar, Maryam Musa, Ubaida Musa, and Harira Nura. Both Sadiya and Ubaida are reportedly heavily pregnant and due to deliver soon.

In addition to the kidnappings, the bandits rustled 12 cows from the village but later returned them. Following the attack, several residents fled to neighboring Niger Republic in fear but returned on Sunday morning.

Efforts to obtain an official response from the Sokoto State Police Command proved unsuccessful, as the state spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, did not respond to calls or messages.

This attack underscores the persistent insecurity in northwestern Nigeria, where rural communities often face raids, abductions, and displacement due to bandit activity.

Gunmen Kidnap Two Pregnant Women, Three Others in Sokoto Village