Gunmen kill Sokoto resident, abduct INEC worker

File photo: Illustration image of gunmen

Gunmen have killed a resident and abducted an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission in an attack on Girkau village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The victim was identified as Mallam Samaila Abdullahi Girkau, while the abducted INEC staff member was identified as Bala A. Ladan Girkau, who works with the commission in Tambuwal.

The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday morning when the armed men invaded the community and went away with the electoral officer.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesman, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said the command had received a report of the attack and confirmed both the killing and abduction.

“Yes, we are aware of the attack. There was a killing and an abduction,” Rufai said.

The police spokesman said the command was working to obtain further details from the Divisional Police Officer responsible for the area.

“We are in contact with the DPO in charge of the area to ascertain the full details of what happened, and our men are working on the matter,” he added.

The latest attack came amid heightened security concerns in Kebbe, which has witnessed a series of deadly attacks, abductions and cattle rustling in recent weeks.

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On September 4, the police confirmed that five people were killed and three others injured when suspected bandits attacked Girkau and other communities within Girkau Ward. Residents also reported that several people were abducted and a large number of cattle were rustled.

The September attack followed an earlier deadly assault on communities in Kebbe in August, when the police confirmed the killing of 28 people in Ungushi. The Nigerian Army subsequently adjusted its security architecture around Kebbe and adjoining communities following the attack and intelligence that the assailants were still operating in the area.

Residents of Kebbe have also recently reported that suspected bandits demanded a N40m levy from the community and threatened to attack if the money was not raised. The police confirmed that it was aware of the reported threat and said its Anti-Kidnapping Unit was working on the information.

The repeated attacks have raised concerns over the safety of residents in rural communities in Kebbe, with reports of people fleeing their homes, livestock being rustled and normal economic and social activities being disrupted.

The abduction of the INEC staff member adds another dimension to the security challenge, particularly for officials who work in remote communities. However, there was no immediate indication that the latest abduction was connected to his electoral duties.

Security agencies are expected to intensify operations in the area to secure the community and facilitate efforts to rescue the abducted INEC staff member.

The police did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with the attack.