Bandits with weapons have assaulted the settlement of Kurawa in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area within Sokoto State, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, one of whom was the interim village leader.
The assailants, who struck the settlement during the predawn hours of Thursday, October 31, 2025, additionally kidnapped numerous locals and stole over 40 head of cattle
One local inhabitant, opting to remain unidentified due to safety concerns, reported that the gunmen raided the settlement near midnight following the demolition of a section of the boundary wall erected by the locals.
“We received a call from neighbouring villages that armed bandits were advancing toward us. We immediately alerted the relevant authorities, including security operatives,” he said.
“They gained entry into the village after breaking the fence and began shooting sporadically.
“The attack lasted less than 30 minutes, unlike previous ones that usually lasted for hours. Our vigilantes and community guards, with support from security personnel, resisted them.”
The informant indicated that even with the rapid counteraction, three locals lost their lives — the interim village leader, Hussaini Alhaji Yawalle, and Huruna Alhaji Zuguru
The deceased were interred on Thursday in line with Islamic customs, he further noted.
A different local inhabitant mentioned that this most recent event constituted the 20th such raid on the settlement perpetrated by gunmen.
“That was why we decided to fence the village, but we didn’t expect they could breach it. They abducted several villagers, including our retired headmaster, Malam Abdullahi, and rustled over 40 cattle,” he said.
He characterized the assault as utterly ruinous, pointing out that those who perished held esteemed positions within the settlement..
“The victims were respected elders with families and grandchildren. We call on the government to establish more security outposts in our area to prevent future attacks,” he added
Verifying the incident, the police representative for Sokoto, DSP Ahmad Rufai, stated that the militants breached the settlement at approximately 2:00 am on Thursday and caused the fatalities of three people
As per his account, the militants further seized an undetermined quantity of animals owned by inhabitants of the impacted settlement.
He reported that a joint squad of security forces, comprising the Nigeria Police, Army, community watch guard, and additional members, reacted to the assault and managed to liberate six from the seven abducted individuals
He reported that the police additionally retrieved certain stolen animals and continue their endeavors to liberate those individuals remaining in the custody of the militants.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli