Sokoto Night Raid: Bandits Abduct Nine in Tarah Community as Security Fears Deepen

Tarah community in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State has come under yet another violent attack after armed bandits stormed the area late Tuesday, abducting nine residents and shooting one person in the arm.

The latest raid adds to a growing wave of kidnappings and killings across northern Nigeria, where communities say they now live in fear of near-daily assaults despite ongoing military operations.

Local sources told reporters that youths in the community quickly mobilised to repel the attackers, a reaction they believe prevented a much higher casualty toll. The attack occurred just days after members of Tarah’s vigilante group were redeployed to Katsira — a move that left the area without its primary line of local defence.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Bakastine raised fresh alarms on Wednesday through his X handle, warning that the pattern of recurring attacks highlights a worsening security environment and the urgent need for coordinated national action.

The incident has sparked renewed concern over mass abductions in the north, where residents say they face relentless threats from heavily armed criminal groups operating with increasing boldness.