Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The recurring nightmare of banditry in Sokoto State has once again visited the Dan Tudu community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, leaving one resident dead and six others abducted in a late-night raid that has deepened the atmosphere of fear and grief in the region. The attack, which occurred on the night of July 21, 2026, is the latest in a series of violent assaults that have turned Sabon Birni into one of the epicentres of banditry in Nigeria's North-West, where armed groups routinely raid villages, kill residents, rustle livestock, and kidnap civilians for ransom.
According to local sources, the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, stormed the community under the cover of darkness, shooting sporadically to create panic before moving from house to house in search of victims. The gunmen killed one resident on the spot and abducted six others, including men and women, before escaping into the surrounding bush. The identities of the victims have not yet been officially released, but community members have confirmed the deaths and abductions, with families of the missing now living in anguish, uncertain of the fate of their loved ones. The attack occurred just hours after a similar raid on the nearby Garin Idi community, which also left several residents injured and abducted.
Sabon Birni, located near the border with Niger, has remained one of the worst-hit areas by armed bandit groups that routinely raid villages, kill residents, rustle livestock and kidnap residents for ransom. The area, home to the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Idris Mohammed Gobir, has witnessed a relentless wave of violence that has forced many to abandon their farms and homes. The attack on Dan Tudu comes on the heels of other violent incidents in the area, including a deadly raid on Kwaren Gamba community on July 19, where bandits killed two people, injured three others, and abducted several residents. Just days earlier, suspected bandits had also killed 13 people in coordinated attacks on three communities in Sabon Birni LGA.
The latest attack has drawn condemnation from residents and community leaders, who have called on the Federal and Sokoto State Governments to take urgent action to address the worsening security situation in Sabon Birni and other parts of Sokoto East. The persistent attacks have fueled fear, displacement, and loss of lives in the affected communities, with many residents now living in constant terror. The Sokoto State Government has previously stated that it remains fully committed to restoring lasting peace in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, Rabah, and every other part of Sokoto State, but residents continue to complain about attacks occurring despite the presence of security personnel.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the attack, and no arrests had been announced in connection with the incident. The absence of a swift security response has further heightened anxiety among residents, who are demanding answers and action from the government. For the people of Sabon Birni, the attack on Dan Tudu is another painful chapter in a long-running crisis that has shown no signs of abating. The question on the lips of many is: how many more innocent lives must be shattered before lasting security becomes a reality for these communities?
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