KEY POINTS

• Suspected bandits attacked Malamawar Yari village in Sokoto, killing two residents and abducting 11 others including women and a child.
• Two victims sustained gunshot injuries and are receiving treatment, while residents blamed recurring attacks on inadequate security presence.
• Police confirmed the incident but said details remained sketchy as efforts to obtain more information were ongoing.

Suspected bandits have killed two residents and abducted 11 others during a late-night attack on Malamawar Yari village in Kware Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The attackers reportedly invaded the community at about 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday, triggering panic as residents fled for safety.

Sources in the village said the bandits moved through the eastern axis of the community and began shooting sporadically upon arrival. The attack by the bandits resulted in the deaths of two residents identified as Abubakar Buntu and Abubakar Bello, while two other victims sustained gunshot injuries.

Among those kidnapped by the bandits were eight women, three men and a child. Residents disclosed that seven of the abducted persons belonged to the same family, while two women were taken from separate households.

An eyewitness said the bandits entered the village through a path linking the community with Rabah Local Government Area before carrying out the assault.

According to the resident, the bandits opened fire immediately after arriving, forcing villagers to flee. He said the attackers killed two persons, injured two others and abducted eleven residents during the raid.

Injured victims receiving treatment

The two injured victims are currently receiving treatment. One was taken to a health facility in Sokoto, while the other is being treated at home. One of the victims sustained a gunshot wound to the hand, while the second was shot in the leg.

Residents noted that Malamawar Yari has an estimated population of about 5,000 people and lamented the lack of adequate security presence in the area. They attributed recurring attacks to the limited access road and the proximity of forests believed to be used by the attackers.

A source from the community said the gunmen usually approach the village through a nearby forest in Rabah Local Government Area and stressed that proper deployment of security personnel could help prevent future attacks.

Residents also revealed that the village had been attacked less than a month ago. That incident reportedly led to the killing of one person and the abduction of several others, raising fears of continued insecurity in the area.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the attack. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, said he had received information about the killings but noted that details regarding the number of abducted persons were still unclear at the time.

He added that he would contact the Divisional Police Officer in Kware Local Government Area to obtain more information but had yet to provide further updates as of the time the report was filed.