Gatawa community in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State has once again come under attack, leaving many residents dead and several others injured. The incident, which happened late Saturday night, is the latest in a series of violent raids that have continued to trouble Sokoto East District in recent years.
Local sources told reporters that armed bandits stormed the community around nightfall, shooting at residents and setting off panic across the area. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear, witnesses said the attackers killed “several people” and abducted an unknown number of others. Survivors described the attack as sudden and brutal, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
“Yesterday night, armed bandits invaded Gatawa community in Sabon-Birni LGA, Sokoto State. They killed and injured several people, and they also abducted an unspecified number of people during the invasion,” a community member said. “It’s very worrisome how bandits are constantly attacking communities in Sokoto East District.”
As of the time of this report, authorities have not released an official statement about the incident. Security agencies were also yet to confirm the number of people killed, injured, or abducted. However, local residents said they spent most of the night trying to locate missing family members after the attackers fled.
Saturday night’s attack is not an isolated incident. Communities across Sabon-Birni, Isa, and Goronyo LGAs have faced frequent raids, kidnappings, and killings for more than five years. Banditry has become a persistent security challenge in the North-West region, where armed groups operate in large forest areas across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
These armed groups often move between communities, attacking homes, burning property, stealing livestock, and abducting villagers for ransom. Many of the attacks occur at night, catching residents off guard. In some cases, entire communities have been displaced, with people relocating to IDP camps or staying with relatives in safer towns.
Gatawa, one of the largest communities in Sabon-Birni LGA, has faced repeated attacks over the years. Residents say they have lost farmland, livestock, and loved ones to these bandit raids. Many farmers no longer feel safe going to their fields, leading to food shortages and rising prices in local markets.
Schools and small businesses have also suffered. Some parents have reportedly withdrawn their children from school out of fear, while traders now close their shops early. People often sleep in shifts, staying alert for unusual movements or strange sounds at night.
Recent months have seen an increase in attacks in the Sabon-Birni axis, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current security measures. Although military operations have been launched in the area in the past, residents say bandits often return once the operations end.
The crisis in Sokoto State mirrors wider insecurity across northern Nigeria. States such as Zamfara and Katsina have recorded similar attacks, with bandits raiding villages, killing residents, and kidnapping travellers along major roads. Communities in Kaduna and Niger States also continue to face threats from armed groups.
Nigeria’s security agencies have launched several operations in recent years, including airstrikes and ground offensives against bandit hideouts. While these efforts have led to arrests and the destruction of some camps, the violence has not fully stopped. Many rural communities remain vulnerable, especially in remote areas where security presence is limited.
The federal government has repeatedly promised to end the banditry crisis, saying it is working with state governments, community leaders, and regional security organisations. But for families in affected areas, the fear remains constant.
Following the latest attack, residents of Gatawa and neighbouring communities are calling for stronger and more permanent security measures. Community leaders are urging both the federal and state governments to deploy more security personnel, provide better equipment, and establish constant patrols along vulnerable routes.
Civil society groups have also stressed the need for better intelligence gathering and cooperation between communities and security agencies. They say early warnings could help reduce casualties and prevent kidnappings.
As residents of Gatawa continue to mourn their loved ones and search for missing family members, the community remains tense. Many fear the bandits may return, as they have done in the past.
For now, Nigerians await an official response from the Sokoto State Government and federal authorities. With insecurity worsening across the North-West, many citizens are hoping for a stronger, more decisive effort to bring peace to communities like Gatawa.
