Armed bandits late Tuesday night invaded Tarah community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting nine residents and shooting one person in the arm.

The latest attack adds to a troubling pattern of incessant raids, killings and kidnappings that have plagued communities in the northern corridor of the state.

Sources in Tarah told our correspondent that the bandits struck shortly after members of the community’s vigilante group were redeployed to nearby Katsira, leaving the village vulnerable.

Residents said the sudden security gap emboldened the attackers, who stormed the community in large numbers.

However, youths in the area mobilised swiftly and confronted the bandits, a move locals believe prevented what could have been a mass abduction.

The incident has once again heightened anxiety among residents, who say they remain exposed despite ongoing security operations in Sabon Birni and surrounding areas.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area had yet to file a detailed report.

He added that the command would issue a formal statement as soon as more information becomes available. (TRIBUNE)