Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

At least four people have been killed in Kebbi State while six residents were abducted in Sokoto State in separate attacks by armed gunmen, highlighting escalating insecurity in northwest Nigeria.

In Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, a terrorist group known as Mamudawa carried out coordinated raids on several villages in the Gebbe District on Sunday and Monday. Residents said the attackers crossed from Wawa Forest in Niger State to strike communities including Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara. Eyewitnesses reported that homes and buildings were set ablaze, with Kawara village reportedly completely burnt down.

A local resident, Yisa Ahmed, said, “Some buildings were set on fire, and people fled to the forests or to Gungu Island for safety.” The Vice Chairman of Shanga LGA, Adamu Hamza Gebbe, confirmed the attacks, noting that Shanga has repeatedly faced assaults from bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers. The District Head of Gebbe, Alhaji Haruna Usman, added that many residents remain displaced.

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The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants took advantage of the wetland terrain to launch their operations, resulting in lives lost and widespread property destruction. SP Bashir Usman, spokesperson for the command, emphasized that security forces are investigating and working to prevent further attacks.

Meanwhile, in Gazau village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, bandits abducted six residents during an early-morning raid on Monday. The attackers initially seized 13 individuals—12 women and one man—but later released seven, taking six hostages to a hideout. The victims were identified as Asabe Zakariya, Inno Ibrahim, Inno Musa, Umma Yusuf, Safina Abdullahi, and Saminu Jijji.

A relative of the victims revealed that the bandits threatened to continue daily attacks unless residents sought amnesty from them. Efforts to reach local authorities and police spokesperson were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Security analysts warn that these incidents reflect a persistent security crisis in rural northwest Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target communities for ransom, extortion, and terror. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to prevent further escalation.

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks