Gunmen Kill 12, Abduct Women and Children in Sokoto Village

Armed Attack Leaves Homes Burned and Residents Missing as Security Concerns Persist in Northwestern Nigeria                        

                            

At least 12 people have been killed and an unspecified number of women and children abducted after heavily armed gunmen attacked Lajinge village in Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria, in the latest incident highlighting the region's worsening security crisis.

Residents said the attackers stormed the community late on Saturday night, carrying out hours of violence before fleeing with abducted victims and stolen livestock.

Overnight Assault

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers entered Lajinge at around 11:00 p.m. and remained in the village until approximately 3:00 a.m., firing indiscriminately at residents and setting homes ablaze.

One resident, Auwal Hassan, told Reuters that at least 12 people were killed, four others sustained injuries, and several women and children were taken away by the attackers.

The gunmen also rustled a large number of livestock before escaping into nearby forests.

Family Burned Alive

Residents said six members of a single family died after their home was set on fire during the raid.

Survivors described scenes of panic as villagers attempted to flee while armed men moved through the community attacking homes and businesses.

Emergency responders and local volunteers later assisted the injured while recovering the bodies of those killed.

Region Faces Persistent Banditry

Northwestern Nigeria has experienced years of violent attacks by heavily armed criminal groups commonly referred to as bandits.

These groups frequently raid rural communities, kill residents, abduct people for ransom and steal livestock, creating a prolonged humanitarian and security challenge across states including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna.

The attacks have displaced thousands of people and disrupted farming activities, worsening food insecurity in affected communities.

Security Response

As of the time of publication, security agencies had not released an official statement detailing the operation launched in response to the attack or confirming the casualty figures.

Authorities are expected to intensify efforts to locate the abducted victims and pursue those responsible.

Community leaders have continued to call for stronger security deployments and improved intelligence gathering to protect vulnerable rural settlements from recurring attacks.

Growing Security Challenge

The latest assault adds to a series of deadly attacks recorded across northern Nigeria in recent months, despite ongoing military operations against armed groups.

Security analysts say sustained collaboration between security agencies, local communities and state governments will be essential to addressing the persistent threat posed by bandit networks operating across the region.