Gunmen have once again struck in Sokoto’s Kurawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, killing a village head and kidnapping scores.
The attackers struck at midnight of Thursday. They also rustled domestic animals.
Local sources revealed that the assailants destroyed part of a security fence recently built by the community to ward off attacks and forced their way into the village.
“We were alerted by neighbouring villages that bandits were approaching, so we quickly informed security operatives,” an anonymous local told our correspondent adding that “despite that, they managed to break through the fence and began shooting sporadically.”
He said the attack was brief but deadly.
“The attack lasted less than 30 minutes, unlike previous ones that dragged on for hours. Our vigilantes, supported by security personnel, engaged them in a fierce exchange.”
Despite the community’s resistance, three people — the acting village head, Hussaini Alhaji Yawalle and another resident, Huruna Alhaji Zuguru were killed. The victims were laid to rest on Thursday in accordance with Islamic rites.
He described the attack as heartbreaking, saying the deceased were respected elders who played key roles in the community.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufa’i, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
