Bandits have kidnapped scores of traders, farmers and travellers on a road leading to Sabon Birni Market in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Eyewitnesses said the kidnappers blocked the major route linking Sabon Birni and surrounding communities to abduct their victims.
An anonymous eyewitness revealed that the kidnappers arrived at about 10am, on Wednesday, on nearly 20 motorcycles, started shooting, causing panic among people heading for the weekly market.
He said “we were sitting near the bridge when we saw them approaching on motorcycles. They started shooting from different directions and abducted travellers, farmers and some women working on nearby farms.”
The witness said at least 20 people were taken away by the bandits.
He said “It happened right before my eyes. Some of the victims were forced onto motorcycles and taken into the forest. When the motorcycles became full, the bandits tied some victims together in pairs and marched them into the bush on foot.
“Men were tied to men using their clothes, while women were tied together with their hijabs. Gunshots were everywhere.”
The comments of the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, could not be obtained as calls to his phone were neither answered nor returned.
