At least six Nigerian soldiers and 12 civilians have been killed following separate attacks by suspected terrorists on communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, with more than 70 residents reportedly abducted during the coordinated assaults.
The attacks occurred late Saturday night in Kasuwar Daji, Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving scores of families devastated and raising fresh concerns over worsening insecurity in the North-West.
Residents said heavily armed terrorists stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m. after launching an attack on a military outpost in the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen engaged security personnel in a fierce confrontation, overpowering the military position before moving into the town where they fired indiscriminately, looted shops and abducted residents.
Local sources said at least six soldiers lost their lives during the attack, while no fewer than 75 residents were taken away into nearby forests by the attackers.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the terrorists invaded the community in large numbers and quickly overwhelmed security forces stationed in the area.
He appealed to both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government to strengthen security across the state, warning that residents now live in constant fear.
“We are in serious danger if terrorists can successfully overpower the military and attack innocent citizens without resistance,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed that his hometown came under attack.
Although he was away from the state when the incident occurred, he said relatives informed him that the terrorists killed soldiers, looted shops of food items, drinks and other valuables before abducting many residents.
The spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he had yet to receive details of the incident but promised to verify the reports with officers in the affected area. As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official update
In Sokoto State, at least 12 people were killed when suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Residents said the attackers invaded the village around 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and remained there until about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday without any intervention from security agencies.
According to community members, 11 victims died from gunshot wounds, while another woman, identified as Agada, reportedly died from shock during the attack.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred when six people, including the head of a household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro, and his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed, were burnt alive after the attackers surrounded the house where they had sought refuge.
Witnesses said the gunmen ordered those inside to come out, but when they refused, they allegedly poured petrol around the building and set it ablaze while opening fire on anyone attempting to escape.
Also killed in the inferno were two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami, along with an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the house.
Another victim, identified as Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while trying to flee the compound, increasing the death toll within the household to seven.
Other victims, including a resident identified as Yusuf and three internally displaced persons who had taken refuge in the village, were reportedly shot while attempting to escape.
A member of the community vigilante group said local volunteers had been guarding the village near the primary school when they suddenly came under heavy gunfire from the attackers.
He explained that the vigilantes were forced to retreat after being overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the terrorists.
According to him, the attackers then moved freely through the community, stealing cattle, sheep and other livestock from several households.
He added that one group of the attackers allegedly positioned a rifle strategically to provide cover while others went from house to house carrying out the looting.
The gunmen later attacked the residence of Mallam Wauro, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and taking away all his livestock.
Residents said although many villagers were kidnapped during the attack, some children were later released by the gunmen, making it difficult to determine the exact number of abductees.
Community members lamented that despite the attack lasting nearly four hours, no security reinforcements arrived to confront the terrorists.
One resident claimed the attackers moved freely through the village, even walking along the main road while laughing and smoking cigarettes without fear of being challenged.
The villagers also alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities, located about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
They said community leaders had repeatedly appealed to the government for a permanent security presence in the area but their requests had not been granted.
Residents further revealed that eight people were killed in the same community about three weeks earlier, highlighting what they described as a worsening security situation.
Appealing to government authorities, one resident said the people deserved protection as citizens who had fulfilled their civic responsibilities.
“We are Nigerians. We have voter cards and elected the government to protect our lives and property. We urgently need security personnel deployed to safeguard our communities,” the resident said.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was travelling when contacted and would verify the reports upon arriving at his office. However, no official statement had been released as of the time this report was filed.
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