A deadly Sokoto bandit attack claimed two lives in Garin Faji, as gunmen killed a father and his daughter, abducting 17 others.
A quiet village in Sokoto State has been thrown into mourning after armed bandits launched a brutal midnight attack.
The assailants stormed Garin Faji community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, leaving behind a trail of death and missing persons.
A man and his eight-year-old daughter lost their lives in the assault. Seventeen other residents were taken hostage, and about 50 cows were rustled.
Locals say the attackers used a highly calculated method to catch the community off guard.
Instead of riding their motorcycles straight into the village, the bandits parked at a distance and moved in on foot. This sneaky approach helped them avoid the loud engine noises that usually serve as a warning signal for rural communities.
A resident, who pleaded to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recounted the horror. He was sitting in his shop around midnight on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, when the first shots rang out.
Upon arrival, the gunmen started firing sporadically into the air. The heavy shooting forced terrified villagers to abandon their homes and run into the bushes for safety.
The bandits later forced their way into the home of Haruna Dan Kwambo. It was there they murdered him and his young daughter.
They did not stop at taking lives. The armed men abducted his two wives. They also kidnapped the wives and children of his brother.
In total, 17 people were dragged away by the attackers. Three of the kidnapped victims are men, while the rest are women and children.
Before retreating into the darkness, the bandits drove away around 50 cows from the community.
Residents noted that this is not the first time they are facing such tragedy. The community has suffered previous attacks where innocent people were killed or kidnapped.
They also remembered a horrific incident where villagers trying to escape from bandits capsized in a river boat. That tragic accident claimed about ten lives.
During this latest raid, the bandits operated freely for about one hour. By the time security operatives finally arrived, the attackers had already escaped with their captives and livestock.
The community says they are practically living without any security presence. They are now pleading with the government to step in and rescue their loved ones before it is too late.
"We are calling on authorities to rescue our abducted relatives. The situation is becoming unbearable," a community source added.
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