Bandits Attack Tsamaye Sokoto Kill Abduct

Heavily armed bandits attacked Tsamaye community in Nigeria — Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Nigeria — Sokoto State, Nigeria, from about 9:00 p.m. Monday until after 3:00 a.m. Tuesday. According to residents, at least 21 people were feared dead, 37 others abducted, and thousands fled their homes. Two houses were burned and livestock stolen. During the attack, overloaded boats carrying fleeing villagers capsized in a river; seven were rescued, while 18 others, mostly women and children, are feared to have drowned. The attackers reportedly answered calls to victims' phones and claimed to have abducted 37 people, many women and children, some taken from nearby farms. Residents accused security forces of failing to respond despite warnings. A local vigilante member said security personnel lacked adequate equipment, including Armoured Personnel Carriers. The attack forced residents from Tsamaye and surrounding communities to flee, with over 100 vehicles used for evacuation. Nigeria — Sabon Birni Local Government Chairman Ayuba Hashimu confirmed the attack but could not verify casualty figures. Nigeria — Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson Ahmad Rufai confirmed the attack and said additional personnel had been deployed. This was the second attack on Tsamaye in a week, following an earlier attack that killed eight residents, including three worshippers inside a mosque.