Bandits Abduct Six Residents, Including Children, in Midnight Raid on Kebbi Community

Panic swept through Wasagu Town in Kebbi State after armed bandits stormed a community in the early hours of Thursday and abducted six residents, including children, during a late-night raid.

The attack targeted Unguwan Dutse in Wasagu District, located within Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, further deepening fears over worsening insecurity in parts of northwestern Nigeria.

Security sources said the gunmen invaded the area around 12:40 a.m., arriving from a forest corridor believed to connect with neighbouring Zamfara State, a region repeatedly linked to bandit activities.

Residents were reportedly caught off guard as the heavily armed attackers moved through the community and forcefully took away several victims.

Among those abducted were 34-year-old Lawali Kabir, 27-year-old Fatima Jabir, 28-year-old Mardiyya Fahad, three-year-old Ubaida Jabir, and two children belonging to Mardiyya Fahad.

The incident was disclosed by security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post shared on X, citing security sources familiar with the operation.

Following a distress call received at about 3:40 a.m., a joint security response team made up of police tactical operatives, military personnel, and local vigilante members was deployed to the community.

However, by the time security operatives arrived at the scene, the attackers had already escaped into surrounding forest areas with the victims.

Authorities said coordinated search-and-rescue operations have since been intensified across nearby forests and suspected escape routes in a bid to rescue the abducted residents and track down the perpetrators.

Additional patrol teams have also reportedly been deployed to strengthen security presence around vulnerable communities in the area.

Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or unfamiliar individuals to security agencies as efforts continue to contain bandit activities in the region.

The latest abduction adds to growing concerns over persistent attacks and kidnappings across Kebbi and neighbouring states, where rural communities continue to face repeated threats from armed groups operating from forest hideouts.