Terrorists kill six soldiers, 12 civilians in Zamfara, Sokoto attacks

Terrorists kill six soldiers, 12 civilians in Zamfara, Sokoto attacks

At least six soldiers and 12 civilians were reportedly killed in separate attacks by suspected terrorists in Zamfara and Sokoto states, while more than 70 residents were abducted during a raid on Kasuwar Daji community in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The coordinated attacks, which occurred late Saturday, have renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of the North-West, where rural communities continue to face killings, mass abductions, livestock rustling and repeated attacks by armed groups.

In Zamfara State, residents said heavily armed attackers invaded Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., opening fire and reportedly overrunning a military outpost in the community.

Local sources said at least six soldiers were killed during the attack, although the casualty figure had not been officially confirmed by military authorities as of the time of filing this report.

The attackers were also said to have abducted at least 75 residents and taken them into the forest after raiding the community.

A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the gunmen arrived in large numbers and began firing indiscriminately as they moved through the area.

He appealed to the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government to strengthen security across the state, warning that residents were increasingly concerned about their safety.

“Our call to the Zamfara State and Federal Governments is to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally over the insecurity bedevilling the state,” he said.

“We are really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens.”

Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed that the community had been attacked.

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He said he was outside the state when relatives informed him that the attackers had invaded the area, looted shops and abducted an unspecified number of residents.

Namadi said he was informed that soldiers were killed during the attack but could not independently confirm the exact number of military casualties.

He added that the attackers reportedly carted away food items, drinks and other valuables before taking abducted residents into the bush.

The Zamfara State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he was not aware of the attack and promised to contact police officers in the affected area for verification. However, no further response had been received as of the time of filing this report.

In Sokoto State, at least 12 people were reportedly killed after suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Residents said the attackers entered the community at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and operated for several hours, with the attack reportedly continuing until about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.

According to residents, 11 people died from gunshot wounds, while a woman identified as Agada reportedly died after suffering severe shock during the attack.

Six people were also reportedly burnt alive after the attackers surrounded a room where they had taken refuge.

Residents said the gunmen ordered those inside the room to come out. When they refused, the attackers allegedly poured petrol around the building, set it on fire and opened fire on those who attempted to escape.

Those reportedly killed in the fire included the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives identified as Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person who had been staying in the house.

Another resident, identified as Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead at the entrance of the same house while attempting to flee, bringing the number of people killed in the compound to seven.

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Residents said other victims were shot while trying to escape from different parts of the village.

They included a resident identified as Yusuf and three internally displaced persons who had sought safety in Lajinge after fleeing violence in other communities.

A member of the community’s local vigilante group said residents were keeping watch near the village primary school when they suddenly heard heavy gunfire.

He said the vigilante members were unable to withstand the attackers and were forced to flee as the gunmen moved through the community.

“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire,” the resident said.

“We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer.”

The attackers were reportedly able to move from house to house, stealing cattle and sheep while firing weapons to keep residents away.

A resident said one of the gunmen positioned a rifle at a strategic location while others entered homes and seized livestock.

The attackers later moved to the residence of Mallam Wauro, where he and two of his sons were killed.

Residents also said two of his wives were abducted and that the attackers took away cattle and other livestock from the household.

The exact number of people abducted during the Sokoto attack could not immediately be established.

Residents said several people were taken away, but some, particularly children, were later released by the attackers.

Community members alleged that no security reinforcement arrived during the attack despite repeated distress calls.

They also claimed that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, which are about two kilometres from Lajinge, did not respond while the attack was ongoing.

“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention,” one resident said.

“They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community.”

The residents said they had repeatedly appealed to the government to deploy security personnel to the area but that their requests had not been met.

They added that eight people were killed in an earlier attack on the community about three weeks ago, increasing fears among residents over continued violence.

“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property,” a resident said.

“We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities.”

The Sokoto State Police Command had also not issued an official confirmation of the attack as of the time of filing this report.

Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was not aware of the incident and would verify the report after reaching his office. No further update had been provided at press time.

The latest attacks have again highlighted the security challenges facing rural communities in Zamfara and Sokoto, where residents continue to demand improved intelligence gathering, stronger security deployment and faster responses to distress calls.

The reported killings and abductions have also renewed calls for closer coordination among the military, police, intelligence agencies and community-based security groups to prevent further attacks.

As of the time of publication, authorities had not released final official casualty figures or confirmed the number of people abducted in either state.

Terrorists kill six soldiers, 12 civilians in Zamfara, Sokoto attacks