Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
An early-morning assault on a mosque in Kiba Ruwa, a community in the Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, has left residents devastated and fearful as armed bandits stormed the prayer ground at the break of dawn on Saturday. The attackers, who struck while residents were observing the Subh prayer, opened fire on worshippers in what community members describe as one of the most traumatising incidents the area has experienced in recent months. The assault resulted in the death of two people, including the imam who was leading the congregation, and the abduction of several others whose exact number is still being determined.
The attack unfolded at a moment of quiet reflection when most worshippers were on their prayer mats, expecting nothing more than the serenity typical of early morning devotion. According to residents who survived the incident, the bandits entered the mosque with little warning, moving swiftly and firing at close range. In the confusion that followed, worshippers attempted to flee, but the narrow exits of the mosque and the rapid advance of the gunmen made escape difficult for many. Witnesses recalled hearing children crying, adults calling out names of loved ones and the deafening sound of gunfire echoing against the mosque walls.
Local sources who spoke shortly after the incident explained that the imam, known within the community for his decades of service and deep influence on young and old alike, was shot while leading the prayer. His killing, residents said, represents a painful blow not just to the worshippers who gathered that morning but to the entire Kiba Ruwa community, where he had been a spiritual guide, mediator, teacher and respected elder. His presence during morning prayers was a routine that had provided stability for years, and the abruptness of his death underscores the growing vulnerability of communities in Sabon-Birni LGA.
The second victim, a male worshipper, also died instantly from gunshot injuries. Several others sustained injuries but managed to escape or were later assisted by neighbours who rushed to the scene after the sound of the attack spread through the area. Meanwhile, multiple people were abducted, taken into the surrounding bush by the armed group. Families are now struggling with the uncertainty of not knowing how many were taken, as some worshippers fled in panic and have not yet been accounted for. Community leaders spent much of the day attempting to reconcile lists of those missing and those who reached their homes safely.
Residents described the attack as especially disturbing because it violated a place regarded as sacred and safe. Even in times of rising insecurity, religious spaces have often been perceived as places bandits might avoid due to the visibility and communal presence they attract. That perception has now been shattered, with fear spreading quickly among other nearby communities who frequently gather for early morning worship under similar circumstances. Some residents noted that attacks on mosques, churches and schools represent an escalation that undermines any sense of sanctuary or protection.
Kiba Ruwa, like several communities in Sabon-Birni LGA, has endured waves of insecurity over the years. The region has experienced attacks marked by killings, kidnappings for ransom, livestock theft and destruction of property. For many residents, the attack on the mosque reinforces a growing sense that the bandits have become increasingly emboldened and are operating with greater confidence, often striking at times and locations that once felt off-limits. People in the district say that despite previous government efforts to stabilise the region, the threats have evolved and require urgent, coordinated action.
In conversations throughout the day, community members expressed deep frustration and exhaustion. Many spoke of sleepless nights, perpetual alertness and the emotional fatigue that accompanies living under constant threat. The death of the imam added a personal layer of grief to a community already burdened by fear. Residents say he had been instrumental in offering hope during difficult times, organising prayers for peace and facilitating dialogue whenever tensions rose. His loss, they explained, has left a void that will be difficult to fill.
Some individuals who narrowly escaped capture recounted how the bandits, after firing inside the mosque, forced several worshippers outside before leading them toward the bush. The operation appeared coordinated, with the attackers moving quickly and withdrawing before any form of help could arrive. Because telecommunications in the area can be unreliable, immediate calls for assistance were slow to reach security agencies, further delaying potential intervention. Several residents said the bandits seemed familiar with the community’s layout and the routines of its residents, enabling them to strike with precision.
The attack has again highlighted the urgent need for reinforced security presence across Sabon-Birni LGA. Community leaders and residents are calling for consistent patrols, intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between local vigilante groups and security forces. Many argue that the current approach to tackling banditry in the region is insufficient, noting that attacks such as this often occur without immediate response. They emphasised that villages in Sabon-Birni are too dispersed and vulnerable to depend solely on reactive measures and require proactive protection to deter armed groups.
The incident also reignited discussions about the broader impact of banditry on northern Nigerian communities. Attacks on schools, religious gatherings, transport routes and markets have contributed to mass displacement, disrupted education, hampered commerce and weakened social structures. In regions where agriculture is the primary source of livelihood, persistent insecurity not only threatens lives but also compromises planting, harvesting and access to farmlands. Residents of Kiba Ruwa fear that unless the situation is addressed, long-term economic and social deterioration may become unavoidable.
As families gather to mourn and search for missing loved ones, authorities have been urged to treat the attack as a critical priority. Security analysts warn that assaults on religious institutions often send shockwaves beyond the immediate community, potentially spreading fear through neighbouring regions and affecting public morale. Such incidents can trigger displacement, weaken trust in security structures and strain local resources as communities attempt to regroup and care for affected families.
The Kiba Ruwa attack serves as yet another painful reminder of the escalating complexity of insecurity in parts of Sokoto and the need for decisive action that addresses not just the symptom of violence but the networks, motivations and logistics that enable armed groups to operate. For now, residents remain in mourning, awaiting clearer information about those abducted and hoping for swift action that will prevent further tragedy. Many say their greatest desire is simply to regain the ability to gather for prayer, sleep at night and live without the constant fear of attack.
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