Fresh attacks by suspected terrorists have claimed the lives of soldiers and civilians in separate communities in Zamfara and Sokoto states, with dozens of residents reportedly abducted and several homes destroyed during the overnight assaults.
Residents said the coordinated attacks occurred late Saturday night, targeting Kasuwar Daji in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State and Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to community sources, heavily armed attackers stormed Kasuwar Daji at about 11:30 p.m., launching an assault that reportedly overwhelmed a military outpost stationed in the area. Residents alleged that six soldiers lost their lives during the confrontation, while more than 70 residents were abducted and taken into the surrounding forest.
A resident, Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, said the attackers arrived in large numbers and immediately opened fire in an effort to overpower security personnel before turning on the community. He appealed to both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government to intensify efforts to address the worsening security situation.
“Our lives are in danger if terrorists can overpower military personnel and still attack innocent residents,” he said.
Former Deputy Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, also confirmed that his community came under attack.
Although he was outside the state when the incident occurred, he said relatives informed him that the assailants killed soldiers, looted shops of food items, beverages and other valuables before abducting an unspecified number of residents.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said he had not yet received details of the incident but promised to verify the report. No official update had been provided as of press time.
In neighbouring Sokoto State, residents said suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the assault reportedly lasting until around 3:30 a.m. without security intervention.
Community members said at least 12 people were killed during the attack. According to residents, 11 victims died from gunshot wounds, while another woman identified as Agada reportedly died after suffering severe shock during the invasion.
One resident, who requested anonymity, said six victims were burnt alive after seeking refuge inside a room. He alleged that the attackers surrounded the building, ordered those inside to come out and, when they refused, poured petrol on the structure before setting it ablaze while firing at anyone attempting to escape.
The victims reportedly included the head of the household, Mallam Wauro, popularly known as Mallam Roro, his sons Ukasha and Mujaheed, two relatives identified as Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami, and an internally displaced person who had been sheltering in the residence.
Another resident, Lawwali, was reportedly shot dead while trying to flee, bringing the death toll within the compound to seven. Residents added that other victims, including Yusuf and three internally displaced persons, were shot while attempting to escape from the village.
A member of the community vigilante group said local volunteers were stationed near the village primary school when the attack began. According to him, heavy gunfire forced the vigilantes to retreat as the attackers moved through the community unchallenged.
He alleged that the gunmen later looted homes, rustled cattle and sheep, and attacked Mallam Wauro’s residence, where they reportedly killed him and two of his sons, abducted his two wives and made away with livestock.
Residents said they were unable to determine the exact number of abducted persons because some children taken during the raid were later released by the attackers. They also lamented that despite the attack lasting for about four hours, no reinforcement arrived.
One resident alleged that security personnel stationed in nearby Unguwar Lalle and Dan Tudu communities did not respond to repeated distress calls throughout the night. Community members further disclosed that eight people had also been killed in the area about three weeks earlier, urging authorities to establish a stronger security presence to protect vulnerable communities.
“We are Nigerians and we have voter cards. We elected the government to protect our lives and property. We are pleading with the authorities to deploy security personnel to safeguard our communities,” a resident appealed.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said he was travelling when contacted and would verify the incident upon reaching his office. However, no official confirmation had been issued at the time of filing this report.
