Key Takeaways
- Suspected bandits abducted over 50 residents from Garin Idi, Sokoto State.
- The attackers demanded N1 million for the women and N600,000 for the other abductees.
- The community paid N600,000 and the bandits released the captives, but threatened to take further action if the remaining N1 million is not paid.
Suspected bandits have invaded Garin Idi, the hometown of Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, abducting over 50 residents. The attackers invaded the village between 10 p.m. on Monday and about 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, firing sporadically to scare residents before splitting into two groups and moving through different parts of the community.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said one group stormed a house where they rounded up about 30 women and marched them into the bush. The second group moved to an Islamic school where more than 20 men, comprising both elderly and younger Qur’anic students, were studying before they were also abducted.
The bandits released one of the captives and instructed him to inform the village head, the Imam and other community leaders to meet them in the forest for negotiations. The village head, the Imam and other stakeholders went to meet them, and during the discussions, the bandits demanded N1 million for the women and N600,000 for the other abductees.
After the meeting, residents went from house to house under the supervision of the village head and the Imam and raised N600,000, which was delivered to the bandits. Immediately they received the money, they released all those abducted but insisted that the community must pay the remaining N1 million within two days.
The residents have appealed to the government, as well as security agencies to urgently improve security in the area, lamenting that the community is made up largely of farmers. The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the command had not received any report of the incident.
Security Concerns
The threat has heightened fears in the community, recalling how bandits previously set a blind man ablaze after residents failed to honour an earlier agreement to pay ransom. Another resident of Sabon Birni, who hails from Garin Idi, confirmed the attack but said he could not verify the agreement to pay the outstanding N1 million.
Why This Matters
The security situation in Sokoto State is a major concern, and the government and security agencies must take immediate action to protect the lives and properties of citizens. The community's appeal for improved security is a call to action that must be taken seriously to prevent further attacks and abductions.