Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria — Armed attackers killed one person and abducted five others during a violent raid on Mallamawar Yari village in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria, authorities confirmed.
The attack took place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, when gunmen entered the rural community at night, creating panic among residents and forcing many people to flee for safety.
Okay News reports that the Sokoto State Police Command, the regional branch of the Nigeria Police Force responsible for law enforcement in Sokoto State, confirmed the incident and said security agencies have begun operations to track the attackers and rescue the victims.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, dismissed claims circulating on social media that the attackers disguised themselves in women’s hijabs to gain access to the community.
“The attack is true, but they didn’t disguise. Five people were kidnapped, and one person was killed,” Rufai said.
According to the police spokesperson, the abducted victims include three women and two men.
Security agencies have since stepped up patrols and surveillance in the area while investigations continue.
The attack has renewed concerns about insecurity in several rural communities across Sokoto State, a region in northwestern Nigeria that shares international borders with the Republic of Niger. In recent years, parts of the state have faced repeated attacks by armed criminal groups locally described as bandits. These groups are known for carrying out raids on villages, kidnapping residents for ransom, and attacking travelers on rural roads.
Communities in several local government areas close to the border have been particularly affected, with many residents reporting displacement after repeated attacks on their villages.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements or unfamiliar persons within their communities.
Security officials say ongoing operations aim to locate the kidnappers, secure the release of the victims, and prevent further attacks in the region.
