Bandits Abduct Five Residents, Including Pregnant Women, in Sokoto Attack

At least five people, including two pregnant women, have been abducted by suspected bandits during an attack on Maiwa Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Residents said the attackers, who arrived on about seven motorcycles, stormed the community on Saturday, March 28, causing panic among villagers.

One eyewitness recounted that the gunmen fired shots into the air, prompting people to flee for safety. He claimed that even nearby security personnel retreated when the attackers advanced, leaving the community exposed.

After the initial chaos, the assailants reportedly moved from house to house, abducting several individuals. The victims have been identified as Sadiya Umar, Firdausi Umar, Maryam Musa, Ubaida Musa, and Harira Nura.

According to local accounts, two of the abducted women—Sadiya and Ubaida—are heavily pregnant and close to delivery, raising concerns about their safety.

The attackers were also said to have taken 12 cows during the raid but later returned them for reasons that remain unclear.

In the aftermath of the incident, many residents fled across the border into Niger Republic for safety, although some reportedly returned to the village the following morning.

As of the time of reporting, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official statement regarding the attack.