Nine people were abducted and two others injured when armed bandits attacked Chacho community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The assault occurred around 11:00 pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, according to a relative of one of the victims, who spoke anonymously. He said the attackers entered through a route connecting the village to the Sabon Birni forest, a known hideout for bandits. Residents were asleep outside their homes when the attack began, prompting a panicked escape. "We were sleeping outside when someone raised the alarm that bandits had attacked our village. We immediately fled for our lives," he said. Gunshots were heard across the village, with the worst impact felt at the outskirts. Seven women and two elderly men were taken, while two villagers sustained injuries and are now receiving medical care. Community members expressed frustration over the lack of security presence in the area, blaming it for the surge in attacks. Ahmad Rufai, police spokesperson in Sokoto, confirmed the incident but stated that the exact number of abductees was still being verified.
The abduction of seven women and two elderly men in Chacho mirrors the worsening rural insecurity that has become tragically routine in parts of northwest Nigeria. With bandits using known forest routes and striking at night, the delayed response and lack of visible security raise serious concerns about protection for isolated communities. This attack fits a pattern seen in other states like Zamfara and Katsina, where similar raids have displaced families and crippled local economies. Until there is a coordinated, on-ground intervention, fear will remain the constant companion of villagers.
