Suspected terrorists have kidnapped some relatives of Sokoto state’s Deputy Governor, Idris Gobir, during a raid on Garin Idi village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state.
The insurgents reportedly stormed the village around 1:00am on Thursday.
According to eyewitnesses, they arrived on eight motorcycles, sending residents into panic as they fired sporadically.
They initially abducted around 30 people, mostly women and children, before releasing some of them while taking away eight victims who are considered to be mostly relatives of Gobir.
Among them, three were men and the remaining five were women.
According to Daily Trust, an eyewitness said the assailants released some children and others due to limited space on their motorcycles.
Meanwhile, the abducted victims were identified as; Hassana Adare Maifata, Rabi Alhaji Ishaqa, Kwamuso Umar, Yar’aji Garba, Kabiru Alkasim, Sani Muazu, Jadi Alkasim (a patient), and a lady whose father is same father with the deputy governor (Late Aliyu).
Residents said the bandits operated in the village for about two hours without any security response.
“I have never heard gunshots as intense as what we experienced yesterday. Now, we only fear them when they come, but once they leave, we calm down because we have become used to it. Still, there is no help,” a resident said as quoted by Daily Trust.
The attackers also raided a phone charging point in the village, stealing over 100 mobile phones, power banks, and N40,000 in cash.
“When they entered the charging point, the operator fled. They then took phones mostly smartphones and power banks being charged, along with cash,” he said.
Residents called on the government, particularly the deputy governor, to urgently address the worsening security situation bedeviling the area.
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“We are appealing to him to look into our condition. As our son and the deputy governor, it is painful that we are being neglected despite being his relatives.
“We support him and do not wish him ill, but he has not assisted us in this difficult situation,” one of the residents said.
They expressed concern that despite their relationship with the deputy governor, the community continues to suffer repeated attacks without urgent intervention.
No official statement has however been released by the police or the Sokoto State Government to confirm the development.
NPO Reports
