In a deadly overnight raid, armed bandits killed the chief imam of Kuda-Kuda village, Liman Audu, and at least three others in Goronyo LGA, Sokoto state, a Daily Trust report on June 24 says. Several residents were also abducted.
Residents said the rifle-wielding attackers struck in the wee hours and worked for nearly two hours, firing sporadically, rustling livestock and driving people from their homes. One witness, who asked not to be named, recalled the chaos:
“We were keeping vigil when we suddenly heard gunshots from different directions. We ran home, woke our families and fled towards the outskirts of the village to save our lives.”
Another source described the wounded:
“The three injured victims were shot in the chest, and the bullets exited through their backs. They have been taken to a hospital in Sokoto, but honestly, we are not optimistic about their chances of survival.”
Those killed were identified as Chief Imam Liman Audu, Zahara Mu’azu, Yahaya Hasanu, and Ibrahim Dayyabu. Those reportedly abducted include Yar Yamma, Malam Shehu Farar Zaki, Khadija, and six others.
A separate resident said attackers first stormed the imam’s home, then met three youths and killed them after they refused to follow. He said:
“After killing the Imam, they met three youths and asked them to follow them. When the youths refused, the bandits shot and killed them on the spot.”
Villagers say this was the community’s 11th attack and complained about an absent security response. Calls and messages to Ahmed Rufai, Sokoto police spokesperson, went unanswered.
The violence comes as Nigeria faces worsening insecurity, with soft targets like schools, churches and mosques at risk. Al Jazeera notes armed groups once confined to the north are moving through forest corridors into the southwest.
