Suspected bandits have killed at least two people and abducted several others during a late-night attack on Rarah town in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, threw the quiet farming community into fear as heavily armed men stormed the town, shooting sporadically and breaking into homes and shops. Residents said the attackers arrived under the cover of darkness, making it difficult for people to escape or call for help.
A local source confirmed that both men and women were among those abducted during the raid. The attackers also looted food items, cash, and other valuables from shops and houses before fleeing the area.
“Last night, bandits attacked Rarah town in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State,” the source said. “They killed two residents, abducted several others including men and women, and looted shops and homes.”
By morning, the community was left in shock and grief. Families of those killed and abducted were seen crying and searching for information about their loved ones. Some residents said they spent the night hiding in nearby bushes and inside locked rooms to avoid being captured.
Rarah is a small town where most residents depend on farming and petty trading for survival. Locals said the attack has deepened fear in the area, especially as many communities in Rabah LGA have experienced similar threats in recent months.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits moved freely for several hours without resistance. “They came at night when everyone was asleep. They went from house to house. People were shouting and running. We are living in fear,” he said.
Sokoto State, like many states in the North-West, has faced increasing attacks by bandits over the past few years. These armed groups are known for killing, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and looting rural communities.
Bandit attacks have been reported in several local government areas of the state, including Rabah, Isa, Sabon Birni, Goronyo, and Tangaza. Many of these areas share borders with forests that serve as hideouts for criminal gangs.
The continued attacks have disrupted daily life in many communities. Farmers are afraid to go to their farms, while traders now close their shops early for fear of night raids. Schools have also been affected in some areas, as parents worry about the safety of their children.
Residents of Rarah said some families are already considering relocating to safer towns, even though they have limited resources. “We cannot sleep with our two eyes closed anymore,” another resident said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Sokoto State Police Command on the Rarah attack. However, security agencies in the state have repeatedly said they are working with the military and local vigilantes to curb bandit activities.
In recent months, the Sokoto State Government has pledged to strengthen security by supporting joint operations involving the police, the military, and community-based security groups. The government has also called on residents to provide useful information that can help security agencies track and arrest criminals.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu has on several occasions condemned attacks on innocent citizens and promised that his administration will not relent in its efforts to restore peace across the state.
Community leaders and residents are calling on the government to increase security presence in rural areas, especially at night. They are also asking for regular patrols and better intelligence gathering to prevent attacks before they happen.
Civil society groups have warned that if the situation continues, more communities may be forced to abandon their homes, leading to humanitarian challenges such as displacement and food shortages.
Banditry in the North-West is often linked to poverty, unemployment, illegal arms, and long-standing conflicts over land and resources. Over time, criminal gangs have taken advantage of weak security to expand their operations.
Despite ongoing military operations and peace efforts, attacks continue in many parts of the region, raising concerns about the safety of rural communities.