Six Family Members Burned to Death, Women, Children Abducted in Sokoto Attack

Armed men killed at least 12 people and abducted women and children during a night ‌attack on a village in Nigeria’s northwestern Sokoto state, witnesses say.

Six members of one family were burned to death after the attackers set fire to their ⁠house, one resident told Reuters.

The gunmen entered the village of Lajinge around 11 p.m. on Saturday and attacked residents until about 3 a.m. on Sunday, locals said.

The region has seen frequent attacks by heavily armed gangs, known as bandits, who ‌raid ⁠villages, kidnap residents for ransom and steal livestock.

“They killed at least 12 people, injured four others, abducted women and children after rustling ⁠many livestock,” resident Auwal Hassan told Reuters by phone.

Police were investigating and would provide updates ⁠later, Sokoto force spokesperson Ahmed Rufai said.

The attack comes a week after bandits ⁠killed at least 24 farmers in neighbouring Zamfara state.