Armed individuals believed to be bandits raided Illela Dawagware village in the Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, resulting in the deaths of four people and the abduction of twelve others. The assault began around 12:20 a.m. on Sunday when approximately 30 attackers on nine motorcycles entered the community.
Witnesses reported that the gunmen fired indiscriminately during a 30-minute operation. Among those murdered were the village imam, Mallam Liman Lawwali Na Ande, along with Lawwali Na Lami, Abdullahi Haruna, and one other individual. The attackers proceeded to search homes, kidnapping eight women and four men, including residents named Amiru, Hauwa, and Awwalu. Another villager, Samaila, is currently being treated for a gunshot fracture.
Local inhabitants expressed frustration with security services, claiming that police did not respond to multiple requests for assistance, even after offers to cover refueling costs for patrol vehicles. This event marks the 24th reported raid on the village. In response to the ongoing violence, many surviving residents have fled their homes to seek safety in an IDP camp in Goronyo.
Sokoto State Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, could not be reached for comment. This tragedy follows a similar incident days earlier in Kuda-Kuda village, where another imam was killed and nine residents were taken hostage.
