Terrorists Kill Four, Abduct Four in Sokoto Community Days After Boat Tragedy

Suspected terrorists have killed four residents and abducted four others in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, barely six days after a boat tragedy claimed 65 lives in the community.

The attackers reportedly invaded the town at about 9pm on Wednesday and opened fire on residents, shooting 11 people and leaving several others injured.

The village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami, who confirmed the attack, said seven of the victims survived the shooting and were rushed to a hospital for medical treatment, while four others died instantly.

According to him, the terrorists went from house to house in search of families who received the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each family that lost a relative in the recent boat accident.

He said the attackers specifically targeted bereaved families, allegedly believing they were still in possession of the relief funds.

The village head expressed concern over the fresh attack on the community, which is still mourning the deaths of 65 residents in the boat tragedy less than a week ago.

The member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bashir Usman Gorau, also confirmed the incident and visited the affected members of the community to offer condolences.

Efforts to obtain a police reaction were unsuccessful, as calls placed to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were not returned as of the time of filing this report.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in Goronyo, with residents still grappling with the aftermath of the boat disaster.