At least eight people were abducted during a late-night raid on Biresawa village in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving the community and neighbouring areas gripped by fear.
Locals said the attackers were heavily armed, storming the village between 11 p.m. and midnight on Monday.
“They came as usual, and from our findings, two men and six women were taken away by the bandits. Up till now, there is no news of their whereabouts,” a community source said.
One of the victims’ relatives, Kabiru Usman, recounted that the bandits approached from neighbouring Tsundu village. “They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife; and two other women. We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for theirs,” Usman said.
He added that residents had alerted security agencies after noticing unusual movement. “Before the attack, we received a report that they were heading towards us, and we notified the police and military in advance,” he said.
Other nearby communities, including Sarmawa, Yan Chibi, and Gano, also reported attacks. A Yan Chibi resident described how dozens of motorcycle-riding bandits stormed the area. “About 50 bandits on motorcycles entered our community, firing into the air. We all ran for safety and later discovered that several people, mostly women, had been abducted. I can’t confirm the exact number, but over 10 were taken,” he said.
A member of the local vigilante group said they had been alerted to “strange faces” in the area and mobilised in anticipation of an attack. However, the bandits escaped into neighbouring Katsina State, forcing residents and vigilantes to retreat. “Many families have adopted the strategy of not sleeping in their homes at night,” the vigilante added, highlighting the climate of fear in the region following recent attacks in Shanono and Bagwai LGAs.
The Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing and the exact number of abducted victims has not yet been officially determined.
Rising insecurity across Northern Nigeria
The latest raid comes amid escalating insecurity across northern Nigeria. Since last Monday, armed groups have carried out major school abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states, sparking national concern.
In Kebbi State, gunmen kidnapped 25 schoolgirls and killed a senior staff member. In Niger State, attackers seized 303 pupils and 12 teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School, though about 50 pupils later escaped. In Kwara State, 38 worshippers were abducted from Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, and later released on Sunday. Another raid in Isapa, Kwara, saw 11 residents—including children, nursing mothers, and a pregnant woman—abducted.
As a precaution, several states including Katsina, Taraba, Plateau, Kebbi, and Bauchi temporarily closed schools, and the Federal Government shut down 47 Unity Colleges nationwide.
In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered full security cordons and expanded Air Force surveillance across Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger states. Meanwhile, the 24 schoolgirls abducted in Maga, Kebbi, were freed on Tuesday, with the President urging intensified efforts to rescue remaining victims.
