At least six soldiers and 12 civilians have been killed after suspected terrorists launched coordinated attacks on communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, overrunning a military outpost, abducting scores of residents and setting a family ablaze in one of the deadliest assaults recorded in recent weeks.
The attacks, which occurred late Saturday night, targeted Kasuwar Daji in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State and Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, leaving widespread destruction and fear in their wake.
In Zamfara, residents said the terrorists stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., first overpowering a military outpost before unleashing attacks on the community.
Sources said six soldiers were killed during the assault, while no fewer than 75 residents were abducted and taken into the forest after the gunmen looted shops and other valuables.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and immediately engaged the military before turning their guns on civilians.
“Our calls to the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government are to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedevilling the state.
“We are really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed the attack, saying relatives informed him of the incident while he was outside the state.
“I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers, but I was not told the actual number. Again, I was told that after looting shops of foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, they also abducted an unspecified number of residents whom they took into the bush,” he said.
The Zamfara State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the attack as of press time. Its spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he would verify the report after contacting officers in the area.
Father, Two Sons Burnt Alive in Sokoto
In neighbouring Sokoto State, suspected terrorists also attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing at least 12 people during an operation that residents said lasted for more than four hours without any security intervention.
Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 11 p.m. on Saturday and continued shooting until about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.
One resident, who spoke anonymously, said 11 victims died from gunshot wounds, while a woman identified as Agada reportedly died from shock during the attack.
He recounted how six people, including a father and his two sons, were burnt alive after the terrorists surrounded the house where they had taken refuge.
“They ordered those inside to come out, but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.
Those burnt to death were identified as the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro; his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two relatives, Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; and an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the house.
The source added that another resident, Lawwali, was shot dead while attempting to flee the compound, bringing the death toll in the household to seven.
Other victims, including Yusuf and three internally displaced persons, were reportedly shot while trying to escape from the village.
Another resident who participated in the community vigilante operation said local volunteers were overwhelmed by the terrorists’ superior firepower.
“We were at the primary school guarding the village when we suddenly heard heavy gunfire. We all ran for safety and kept moving from one hiding place to another whenever the shooting came closer,” he said.
According to him, the attackers moved freely through the village after overpowering local vigilantes, rustling cattle and sheep from several homes.
“They stationed one of their rifles in a strategic location that kept firing while the others entered houses to steal livestock,” he said.
He added that the gunmen later attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, killing him and two of his sons, abducting his two wives and making away with all his cattle.
Residents said they could not immediately determine the exact number of abducted persons because some of those initially taken away, particularly children, were later released.
They lamented that the terrorists operated unhindered for hours.
“The bandits stayed in our village for hours without any intervention. They even walked along the main road laughing and smoking cigarettes as if they had conquered the community,” one resident said.
The villagers alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu, both about two kilometres from Lajinge, failed to respond despite repeated distress calls.
They also disclosed that eight people had been killed in the community about three weeks earlier and appealed for urgent government intervention.
“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” another resident appealed.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was on transit and would verify the incident upon arriving at his office.
