The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed a late-night bandit attack on Chacho community in Wurno Local Government Area, during which several residents were abducted and others injured.
The attack, which occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, reportedly threw the community into panic as heavily armed assailants invaded the village and opened fire, forcing residents to flee for safety.
According to reports, the attackers gained access to the area through a route believed to be connected to the notorious Sabon Birni forest corridor, an area that has repeatedly been linked to criminal activities and bandit movements in parts of Sokoto State.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmad Rufai, said security operatives had already been deployed to the affected area and that efforts were ongoing to track down the attackers and rescue the abducted victims.
He said the command had responded swiftly after receiving information about the attack and had since activated tactical operations in the area.
According to him, investigations are also ongoing to determine the exact number of persons abducted and the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Residents said the attack happened while many villagers were already asleep, making it difficult for people to respond quickly before the gunmen spread across parts of the community.
Eyewitnesses recounted how the sound of gunfire and alarm cries forced many people to run in different directions in a desperate bid to escape.
Some residents were said to have been sleeping outside due to the heat when the attack began, while others reportedly rushed out of their homes after hearing gunshots from different parts of the village.
The confusion and fear that followed created a chaotic scene, as families tried to account for loved ones amid the panic.
Preliminary reports from the area indicate that about nine persons were abducted during the raid, with most of the victims said to be women and elderly men.
In addition to the abductions, at least two other residents reportedly sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving medical attention.
The full extent of the damage caused by the invasion is still being assessed, but the incident has once again highlighted the growing insecurity affecting many rural communities in northern Nigeria.
The police have assured residents that efforts are being intensified to restore calm and strengthen security in the area.
Authorities also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
The latest attack has deepened fears among residents of Wurno and neighbouring communities, many of whom have continued to live under the threat of repeated bandit incursions.
For many locals, the attack is another painful reminder of the persistent security challenges facing communities located near forest routes and remote corridors often exploited by armed groups.
The incident has also renewed calls for a more sustained and visible security presence in vulnerable communities across Sokoto State, especially in areas that have experienced repeated attacks in recent years.
Residents are now hoping that ongoing security operations will not only lead to the rescue of those abducted but also help prevent future attacks on the community.
As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were said to be continuing search and rescue efforts, while tension remained high in the affected area.
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