Bandits Kill Imam, 3 Others, Abduct 12 In Fresh Sokoto Attack

Bandits suspected to be armed gunmen have killed a village imam and three other residents, while abducting twelve people during a midnight attack on Illela Dawagware village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack occurred at about 12:20 a.m. on Sunday, when about thirty armed men, riding on nine motorcycles, stormed the community and operated for nearly 30 minutes, firing sporadically.

A resident, who spoke anonymously, said villagers attempted to resist the attackers but were overwhelmed.

According to the resident, the gunmen first invaded the home of the village imam, killing him and three others before moving from house to house and abducting 12 residents.

“They killed our imam, his neighbour and another person. They later abducted 12 people, comprising eight women and four men,” the source said.

He added that one of those killed, identified as Awwalu, also had his wife and two biological brothers abducted during the attack.

The deceased were identified as Mallam Liman Lawwali Na Ande, Lawwali Na Lami, Abdullahi Haruna and Awwalu.

Among those abducted are Amiru, Hauwa, Awwalu’s wife and two brothers, as well as several other residents.

Another victim, Alhaji Samaila, reportedly sustained a gunshot wound that fractured his hand and is receiving treatment at a health facility in Sokoto.

Residents accused security operatives of failing to respond despite repeated distress calls.

“We called security personnel in Goronyo for reinforcement and even offered to provide money for fuel, but they did not come,” the resident alleged.

He described the incident as the 24th attack on the village, recalling that bandits had, two years earlier, killed seven members of the same family inside a mosque.

“We had not experienced another attack until now. Just last Sunday, some displaced residents returned to the village after spending about two years away,” he said.

Another resident who attended the burial of the slain imam said fear had gripped the community, forcing many villagers to abandon their homes at night.

“They will now sleep at the IDPs camp in Goronyo because they fear another attack,” he said.

The residents appealed to the Federal Government, Sokoto State Government and security agencies to take urgent steps to end the recurring attacks.

The latest incident comes just days after a similar attack in Kuda-Kuda village, also in Goronyo Local Government Area, where bandits reportedly killed a chief imam and abducted nine residents.