Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Garrison have rescued 14 abducted persons and recovered 281 rustled livestock after engaging suspected bandits in a gun battle in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto.
The rescue came on the heels of coordinated attacks by the armed men on several communities in the council, where residents were abducted, livestock stolen, and many people injured.
A credible security source told our correspondent on Wednesday that the troops launched the operation after receiving a distress call from Horo Birni Village, where bandits had attacked residents and fled with their captives and livestock.
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According to the source, the soldiers intercepted the fleeing criminals and engaged them in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the bandits to abandon their victims and stolen animals.
“The troops made contact with the terrorists while they were escaping with the kidnapped victims and rustled livestock. They responded with superior firepower, forcing the bandits to retreat with gunshot wounds and abandon both the victims and the animals,” the source said.
The source said all 14 abductees were rescued unhurt during a follow-up search of the area.
Recovered during the operation were 195 cows, 84 sheep, two camels and two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing bandits.
“The operation resulted in the rescue of all 14 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 281 livestock comprising 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels, in addition to two motorcycles left behind by the terrorists,” the source added.
The source described the operation as another significant success in the military’s ongoing offensive against banditry in the North-West.
“The prompt intervention prevented the victims from being taken into the bandits’ enclaves. Our troops remain committed to protecting lives and property, but community support and timely intelligence are crucial to sustaining these successes,” the source said.
Meanwhile, residents of Kaura, Wanke, Sage, Marake and Aggur villages in Shagari Local Government Area are still counting their losses after suspected bandits invaded their communities on Tuesday.
Witnesses said the attackers stormed the villages in the early hours, firing indiscriminately to scare residents before rustling a large number of cattle and other livestock.
At least two residents sustained gunshot wounds to their legs, while several others suffered injuries in the attack. The victims are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Shagari.
One resident, who declined to be named for security reasons, said the attackers operated unhindered for several hours.
“They came in large numbers and started shooting. Everyone fled into the bush to save their lives. They took away many of our animals and shot two people in the legs. We are living in constant fear because these attacks keep happening,” the resident said.
Another villager described the attack as a devastating setback for families whose livelihoods depend on livestock.
“Our animals are our only means of survival. They help us feed our families, pay school fees and meet other basic needs. We are pleading with the government and security agencies to protect us from these repeated attacks,” the resident said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the attackers were the same bandits who later attacked Kebbe Local Government Area.
“It is part of their strategy. Whenever they are moving to another location, they fire sporadically to scare residents away and then rustle their cattle before continuing their mission,” Rufai said.
The latest incidents highlight the persistent threat posed by armed bandits in parts of Sokoto State despite ongoing security operations aimed at restoring peace across the region.