The police in Sokoto State have confirmed the killing of three people and the abduction of several residents during an attack by suspected bandits on Yartsakuwa community in Rabah Local Government Area.
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The attackers reportedly invaded the community in the early hours of Sunday, killing residents and stealing livestock.
The state police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the incident to THE PUNCH, saying three people were killed, while others were kidnapped.
However, a resident who survived the attack, Najeeb Yartsakuwa, reported a higher death toll of four, comprising three men and a woman. Daily Trust also reported four deaths.
In a Facebook post cited by PUNCH, Mr Yartsakuwa said the attackers entered his family home and abducted his sister and four sisters-in-law.
He said other women were also taken from the community, although the total number of abducted residents had not been established.
The resident appealed for prayers for the victims and the safe return of those kidnapped.
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The police have yet to reconcile their casualty figure with the resident’s account. The identities of those killed and the total number of abducted residents also remain unclear.
Previous attacks
The latest incident follows a series of deadly attacks on rural communities in Rabah, where residents have faced repeated killings, kidnappings and livestock theft.
In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that suspected bandits attacked Tofa community in the same local government area, killing residents and abducting dozens of others.
Accounts of that attack put the death toll at between seven and 10, while estimates of those kidnapped ranged from 35 to about 40.
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Earlier, on 30 August, eight farmers were killed and five others injured during an attack on Ghandi community, also in Rabah.
Security forces subsequently reported intercepting armed men advancing towards Ghandi, but the operation did not prevent the later attack on Tofa.
The renewed violence comes despite military and police operations aimed at dismantling armed groups operating across parts of Sokoto State.
On 9 November, the Sokoto police announced the rescue of two abducted residents during an operation targeting suspected bandits’ hideouts in Yabo Local Government Area.
The police said the operation also led to the destruction of structures allegedly used by the armed group.
It remains unclear whether security personnel have been deployed to Yartsakuwa following Sunday’s attack or whether an operation has begun to rescue the abducted residents.