In the early hours of Sunday, suspected gunmen launched a brutal attack on Dudun Doki village in Gwadabawa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving a trail of death and abductions in their wake.
Eyewitnesses report that the attack, which occurred around 1:30 am, resulted in the deaths of over ten people, while many others were abducted.
The exact number of those kidnapped remains unclear as of the time of this report.
A resident of the village, who preferred to remain anonymous for safety reasons, described the horrifying scene.
“They came in the dead of night, heavily armed and shooting sporadically. We were all terrified and could only think of running to save our lives,” he said.
“I saw them dragging people away, but I couldn’t count how many.”
The local community is now in a state of mourning and fear, with many residents fleeing to neighboring areas for safety. The attack has left the village deserted, with houses and properties destroyed in the wake of the gunmen’s rampage.
Efforts to reach the Sokoto State Police Command for comments have been unsuccessful so far, as their spokesperson’s phone line was unreachable.
Local authorities and security agencies are reportedly working to gather more information and respond to the crisis. The attack underscores the growing insecurity in the region, which has seen a spike in violent incidents attributed to bandits and other armed groups.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, called on the government to take immediate action to protect the lives and properties of the people.
“We cannot continue to live in fear. The government must do something to stop these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
Details later.
