Communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State are reeling from fresh bandit attacks. Residents claim militants planted explosives on the Sabon Birni–Kurawa road to block security reinforcements.
The attacks occurred early Sunday morning in Kurawa village and surrounding settlements. Armed men on motorcycles descended on the area around 1:00 a.m., residents told Daily Trust.
One person identified as Sabiu Yakubu was killed in the raid. Attackers also injured several others and rustled livestock, according to eyewitness accounts.
An anonymous witness explained the militants' strategy bluntly. "The soldiers usually respond whenever we call during attacks," he noted, "but this time they couldn't reach us before the raiders left."
Why the delayed military response? Security forces were still cautious after a recent IED blast at Bargaja that killed three personnel.
Hours after the Sunday morning assault, a commercial motorcycle hit an explosive device about one kilometre from Kurawa. Both the rider and passenger—including a man named Mudassir Salihu—sustained serious injuries but survived the blast.
A Volkswagen Golf car struck another suspected IED on the same stretch of road. Its front was badly damaged and passengers were injured in the explosion.
No fatalities occurred in either IED incident, the witness said. But both vehicles were extensively damaged by the blasts.
In nearby Garin Zago, villagers said they'd received intelligence about twenty motorcycles carrying bandits heading their way. They prepared for trouble, setting up night watches.
Around 1:40 a.m., heavy rain began falling across the area. Then gunfire erupted without warning.
During that assault, gunmen killed Salisu Yakuba and shot a vigilante member named Basiru Dan Banga. Three people were abducted, though two managed to escape later, leaving one man—Sani Yakuba—still missing.
Two cows were also stolen from residents. The attackers left a trail of devastation across multiple communities.
A resident from Garin Zago appealed desperately for government action. "We suffer these attacks repeatedly without adequate help," he lamented to reporters.
He also complained of intimidation when speaking publicly about insecurity. "People accuse us of opposing the state government whenever we report what's happening," he said bitterly.
A Sokoto-based security analyst posted on Facebook about the IED operation. According to his account, more than ten armed men attempted to plant explosives near Kurawa on Saturday night before the main assault.
In his words, the suspects wore night-vision goggles during the operation. He claimed the explosive devices later damaged both the vehicle and motorcycle mentioned by residents.
The analyst alleged the men were followers of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. Daily Trust could not independently verify this claim through other sources.
Attempts to reach Sokoto police spokesman DSP Ahmad Rufai for comment were unsuccessful. Hon.
Aminu Boza, who represents Sabon Birni North in the state assembly, also didn't respond to requests for reaction.
