SOKOTO – The Sokoto State Police Command has deployed tactical units to the Wurno Local Government Area following a violent late-night incursion by bandits that resulted in the abduction of several villagers.
The attack targeted the Chacho community at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Armed men, reportedly emerging from the Sabon Birni forest axis, invaded the village under the cover of darkness, triggering widespread panic as residents fled into nearby bushes to escape sporadic gunfire.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the incident on Friday, stating that the command has “swung into action” to track the assailants and secure the release of those taken.
”Tactical teams have been deployed, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact number of abducted persons,” Rufai said. He emphasized that the command is prioritizing the safety of the victims and has mobilized resources to the forest routes frequently used by such criminal elements.
Victims and Casualties
While official figures are still being verified, local sources indicate that at least nine people—primarily women and the elderly—were marched into the forest. Two other residents sustained gunshot wounds during the chaos and are currently undergoing treatment at a local medical facility.
Survivors described a scene of terror, noting that the community was caught off guard while many were sleeping outdoors due to the heat.
”We were sleeping outside when the alarm was raised,” one resident recounted. “The gunshots were coming from everywhere. We had no choice but to run for our lives.”
Heightened Insecurity
The Chacho raid is the latest in a series of attacks that have plagued the fringes of the Sabon Birni forest, a known stronghold for bandit groups operating across the Northwest. The incident has renewed calls from community leaders for a permanent security outpost in Wurno to deter future incursions.
The Police Command has urged the public to remain calm but vigilant. “We appeal to members of the public to provide credible information that can aid ongoing operations,” Rufai added, noting that community cooperation is vital to neutralizing the threat.
As of Friday morning, security cordons remain in place around Chacho and neighboring settlements as the rescue operation intensifies.
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