Bandits have abducted at least eight people, including six women, during a late-night raid on Biresawa village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to reports, that the attackers stormed the community between 11 p.m. and midnight on Monday, moving in from nearby Tsundu village.
A source familiar with the incident said the bandits operated “as usual,” taking two men and six women before disappearing into nearby bush paths.
“Up till now, there is no news on their whereabouts,” the source said.
Families Describe Harrowing Raid
One of the victims’ relatives, Kabiru Usman, said the gunmen came on foot and were heavily armed.
“They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife, and two other women,” he said.
“We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for their guns.”
Usman added that residents had earlier alerted both the police and military after receiving intelligence that the bandits were heading toward the village.
Multiple Communities Hit
In what appears to be a coordinated night operation, the bandits also struck Sarmawa, Yan Chibi, and Gano villages, all in Tsanyawa LGA.
A resident of Yan Chibi said around 50 bandits on motorcycles rode into the community, shooting into the air and forcing villagers to flee.
“They abducted several people, mostly women,” he said.
“Later, we heard they visited other communities and took more people. Over 10 have been kidnapped.”
Vigilantes in Pursuit, But Trail Lost
Local vigilante members reportedly pursued the attackers but lost their trail as the bandits crossed into Katsina State, a known hotspot for armed groups.
A vigilante source confirmed that communities had been reporting the presence of suspicious individuals in the area in recent days.
Villages Deserted as Fear Grows
Persistent attacks across Tsanyawa, Shanono, and Bagwai LGAs have forced many families to flee, with some taking refuge in Faruruwa town or relocating to urban centres.
Residents told Daily Trust that many now avoid sleeping in their homes at night due to fear of further raids.
No Police Response Yet
Kano Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, had not responded to calls or messages as at press time.
This latest attack adds to a string of bandit operations in the area. Weeks earlier, gunmen invaded Yan Kwada village in Faruruwa, abducting five women, including nursing mothers, just days after a military operation killed 19 bandits nearby.