Tragedy struck again in Sokoto State as armed bandits raided Kurawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing three residents, including the acting village head, Hussaini Alhaji Yawalle.
The attackers, who invaded the community in the early hours of Thursday, also abducted several villagers and carted away more than 40 cattle during the assault.
Residents said the gunmen arrived around midnight, forcing their way into the village after breaking part of the perimeter fence recently built to fortify the settlement.
“We were alerted by a nearby community that bandits were heading our way, and we quickly informed the security operatives,” one resident recounted.
“They broke through the fence and opened fire immediately. The shooting lasted less than 30 minutes this time, unlike previous attacks that dragged on for hours.”
According to him, local vigilantes and community guards, assisted by security forces, managed to repel the attackers, but not before three lives were lost.
The victims, Yawalle, Huruna Alhaji Zuguru, and one other, were buried later that day.
Another resident, visibly distraught, told journalists that Thursday’s assault marked the 20th attack on Kurawa by bandits in recent times.
“We fenced our village to stop them from gaining easy access, but they still managed to breach it,” he lamented.
“They took away our retired headmaster, Malam Abdullahi, along with several others, and rustled dozens of cattle. This is heartbreaking.”
He added that the community is now living in fear, mourning the loss of respected elders who were central figures in local affairs.
“The government needs to act swiftly. We are pleading for more security outposts in Sabon Birni to protect us from further bloodshed,” he appealed.