Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Jevaun Rhashan
Armed bandits have killed a 35-year-old businessman, Sufiyanu Garba, and abducted his pregnant wife during a violent raid on their residence in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi metropolis in north-western Nigeria’s Kebbi State, in an incident that has heightened security concerns in the region. The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, March 13, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed the couple’s home and carried out the deadly assault before escaping with the woman to an unknown location.
Family members and local residents said the attackers forced their way into the house in the middle of the night, creating panic in the neighbourhood as gunshots rang out. During the invasion, the gunmen opened fire on Garba, killing him at the scene, before abducting his pregnant wife, identified as Zainab Mohammed Yauri.
According to relatives, the victim’s elder brother-in-law, Shehu Mohammed Yauri, confirmed that the assailants shot the businessman before whisking his wife away. He explained that the attackers arrived suddenly, broke into the residence and carried out the attack quickly before fleeing.
Garba’s body was later taken for burial according to Islamic rites, and he was laid to rest at the Birnin Kebbi main cemetery later the same day following funeral prayers attended by family members and community residents.
Authorities confirmed the incident shortly after it occurred. The spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, said the command had launched an investigation into the killing and kidnapping. He stated that police detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene after the incident was reported.
According to the police statement, Garba was rushed to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi after the attack, where a doctor confirmed him dead. His remains were later deposited at the hospital mortuary before burial arrangements were made by the family.
Police authorities also revealed that the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case. Investigators have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive probe aimed at rescuing the abducted woman and identifying those responsible for the attack.
Security officials indicated that the investigation would focus on tracking the gunmen and gathering intelligence that could lead to the safe recovery of the kidnapped victim. Law-enforcement agencies in the state have urged residents to provide useful information that may assist in locating the abductors.
Police officials also noted that a security checkpoint is located not far from the scene of the attack. Authorities emphasized that timely alerts from residents can significantly improve emergency response times and help security operatives intervene more quickly during such incidents.
The attack has sparked concern among residents of Birnin Kebbi, a state capital that has historically experienced fewer bandit attacks compared with neighbouring states such as Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna. However, security experts warn that bandit groups have increasingly expanded their operations beyond rural communities into urban areas in recent years.
Stone Reporters note that the incident reflects the broader security crisis affecting parts of north-western Nigeria, where armed bandit groups regularly carry out killings, kidnappings and raids on communities. These criminal gangs often target individuals believed to have financial resources, abducting victims and demanding ransom payments from their families.
Banditry in the region has escalated over the past decade, with attacks often involving large groups of armed men traveling on motorcycles and operating from remote forest hideouts that stretch across multiple states. Such groups frequently strike villages and towns during nighttime raids, overwhelming local communities before security forces can respond.
Kebbi State itself has witnessed several high-profile security incidents in recent years. Previous attacks in the state have included raids on communities and the mass abduction of students from schools, reflecting the broader pattern of criminal violence affecting Nigeria’s north-west.
Residents of the Badariya neighbourhood have expressed shock over the latest killing, describing Garba as a respected trader in the community. His death has left relatives grieving while fears remain for the safety of his abducted wife, who is believed to be pregnant at the time of the kidnapping.
Community leaders have called on security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance in Birnin Kebbi and surrounding areas to prevent further attacks. Some residents have also urged authorities to strengthen intelligence networks in order to track bandit groups operating in nearby rural areas.
For the victim’s family, however, the immediate priority remains the safe rescue of the abducted woman. Security agencies say search and rescue efforts are underway, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack and no ransom demand had been publicly confirmed at the time of reporting.
As investigations continue, authorities in Kebbi State have assured residents that additional security measures are being implemented to prevent further incidents and to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.
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