Suspected bandits launched an attack on Achida town in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State late Thursday, killing two residents and abducting at least 25 people. The assault occurred around 11pm, with gunmen moving through the community unchallenged for nearly an hour. Achida, located about 20 kilometres from Sokoto metropolis, has become increasingly vulnerable to violence in recent months.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers first surrounded a vigilante outpost on the town's outskirts, seizing several local vigilantes before entering homes to abduct women and children. A 10-year-old boy was among those taken. Gunfire erupted only after the abductions were completed, resulting in the deaths of two men. "We were unaware of their presence until about midnight when gunshots rang out," a resident said. Another described the operation as coordinated, with one group monitoring for military movement while others carried out the raid.
Residents have appealed for a military presence in Achida, citing proximity to Sokoto town and repeated attacks in surrounding areas. DSP Ahmad Rufa'i, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, was not available for comment at the time of publication.
Achida is just 20 kilometres from Sokoto town, yet its residents were left defenceless against armed men who moved with tactical precision. The abduction of vigilantes before the main attack indicates these groups now operate with intelligence and planning, not just brute force. If local security units can be overpowered this easily, the state's broader response appears increasingly outmatched. For Nigerians in rural communities, distance from the capital no longer guarantees safety—it measures how little protection they can expect.
