Terrorists kill Imam, 3 others, abduct 12 in Sokoto

In Sokoto State, Nigeria, gunmen suspected of being bandits have carried out a deadly attack on Illela Dawagware village in Goronyo Local Government Area. The assailants killed an imam and three other residents before abducting 12 people, including eight women and four men.

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They killed our imam, his neighbour and two others. They later abducted 12 people, comprising eight women and four men.

The attack occurred early Sunday morning, with an estimated 30 attackers arriving on approximately nine motorcycles. They reportedly operated for nearly 30 minutes, firing shots indiscriminately as they raided the community. Residents attempted to resist but were overwhelmed by the attackers.

The bandits specifically targeted the village imam's residence, killing him and three others. They then proceeded to abduct 12 residents. Among the fatalities were Mallam Liman Lawwali Na Ande, Lawwali Na Lami, and Abdullahi Haruna. The abducted individuals include Amiru, Hauwa, Awwalu, and nine others.

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We called security personnel in Goronyo for reinforcement and even offered to provide money for fuel, but they did not come.

One resident sustained a gunshot wound that fractured his hand and is receiving treatment. Adding to the community's distress, residents accused security operatives of failing to respond to their calls for help, despite offers to provide fuel for their vehicles. This incident marks the 24th recorded assault on the village, with a previous attack two years ago resulting in the deaths of seven members of the same family in a mosque. The recent attack has instilled fear, prompting many villagers to abandon their homes at night and seek refuge in an IDP camp.

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They came two years ago and killed seven members of the same family inside a mosque. We had not experienced another attack until now.