Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Residents of Taka-Tsaba community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State are reeling from a deadly overnight attack carried out by armed bandits reportedly loyal to the notorious kingpin Bello Turji, in the latest episode of violence to hit Nigeria’s troubled northwest. The raid, which occurred late on Monday night, left one person dead and at least 10 others abducted, most of them young girls, further deepening fears over insecurity in rural communities across the region.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed Taka-Tsaba under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically as they advanced into the village. The gunmen reportedly moved swiftly from house to house, forcing residents out at gunpoint before seizing their captives. In the chaos that followed, one resident was shot and killed, while several others narrowly escaped by fleeing into nearby bushes and farmlands.
Survivors described a night of terror, with the sound of gunfire echoing across the community as families scrambled to protect their children. Local sources said the abducted victims were mostly girls, raising renewed concerns about the growing pattern of mass kidnappings targeting women and minors in northwestern Nigeria. By morning, the village was largely deserted, with many residents remaining in hiding for fear of a possible return by the attackers.
Community leaders in Sabon Birni LGA confirmed the attack and appealed urgently to security agencies and the Sokoto State Government for immediate intervention. They said Taka-Tsaba and surrounding villages have faced repeated threats from armed groups operating along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis, but residents feel increasingly abandoned as attacks continue with little warning.
The attack has once again drawn attention to Bello Turji, one of the most feared bandit leaders in the northwest, whose network has been linked to numerous mass kidnappings, killings, and village raids across Sokoto, Zamfara, and parts of Katsina states. Despite repeated military operations and airstrikes targeting bandit camps in the region, Turji and other commanders have continued to launch deadly assaults on vulnerable rural communities.
Security analysts say the geography of Sabon Birni, which borders Zamfara State and lies close to forested areas used by armed groups as hideouts, makes it particularly exposed to bandit activity. The porous nature of the terrain allows gunmen to strike quickly and retreat before security forces can respond effectively. Residents have long complained of slow response times and inadequate security presence, especially at night.
In recent months, Sokoto State has witnessed a resurgence of bandit violence, despite official assurances that security operations were yielding results. Communities in eastern Sokoto, including Sabon Birni, Goronyo, and Isa local government areas, have reported frequent raids involving killings, abductions, and the looting of food and livestock. Many villagers say they now sleep in fear, with some abandoning their homes altogether.
The killing during the Taka-Tsaba attack has heightened local anger and grief. According to residents, the victim was caught while trying to flee as the bandits advanced into the community. His death has left his family devastated and added to the growing list of civilians killed in bandit attacks across the region in recent years.
Human rights advocates have condemned the attack, describing it as another tragic reminder of the human cost of Nigeria’s protracted insecurity crisis. They expressed particular concern over the abduction of young girls, warning of the psychological trauma faced by victims and the long-term impact on affected families and communities. Calls have also intensified for improved intelligence gathering, stronger protection for rural areas, and more support for victims of violence.
As of Tuesday morning, there was no official statement from the Sokoto State Police Command or the military regarding the attack, although local sources said security agencies had been notified. Residents are hoping for a swift response, including pursuit of the attackers and efforts to rescue those abducted. In previous incidents, families of abducted persons have often been forced to negotiate directly with bandits, sometimes paying large ransoms for the release of loved ones, a practice that has fuelled further criminality.
The latest raid has also renewed debate over the effectiveness of current security strategies in the northwest. While the federal government has launched multiple military operations against bandits, critics argue that these efforts have not adequately protected civilians or dismantled the networks that sustain armed groups. Others have called for a combination of military action, community-based intelligence, and socio-economic interventions to address the root causes of banditry.
For the people of Taka-Tsaba, the immediate concern remains the safety of those taken away in the night and the fear that more violence could follow. Families of the abducted girls have been thrown into anguish, unsure of their fate or whether they will be able to secure their release. Many residents say they feel trapped between staying in their ancestral homes and fleeing to already overstretched towns in search of safety.
As insecurity continues to cast a long shadow over large parts of northern Nigeria, the attack on Taka-Tsaba stands as yet another grim reminder of the urgent need for sustained and effective action to protect civilians. Until then, communities like this one remain on the front lines of a crisis that shows little sign of abating.
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