Many Feared Dead Others Kidnappee As Bandits Attack Sokoto Community Amid Network Shutdown
Armed men launched a devastating overnight attack on Tofa community in Raba Local Government Area of Sokoto State on 25 November 2025, leaving residents in shock as many fled their homes and have yet to return. The incident, which occurred shortly after a sudden shutdown of mobile networks in the area, has drawn deep concern from citizens and observers who say the community was left unable to call for help during the assault.
Survivors who managed to escape the attack early Wednesday morning recounted that the armed group invaded the community in large numbers under the cover of darkness. Residents reported hearing continuous gunshots as the attackers moved through the area, forcing people to abandon their homes and flee into nearby bushes and farmlands. Many who attempted to escape were separated from their families in the chaos, and dozens remain missing as of the time of this report.
Local sources confirmed that at least 18 people sustained injuries, though the exact number of fatalities has not yet been determined due to the scale of the attack and the mass displacement of the population. Some residents said that those unable to run were taken away by the attackers, while others described narrowly escaping with only the clothes they were wearing. The community, once filled with families preparing for market activities the next morning, is now deserted.
Displaced residents from Tofa are currently seeking temporary refuge in neighboring villages, with many saying they have no certainty about when it will be safe to return home. Some families are reportedly still hiding in surrounding forests, afraid that the attackers may still be nearby. Those who fled on foot at night said they had no access to transport or communication due to the network shutdown, which they believe made it impossible to alert security agencies or call relatives for help.
Tofa is known to have a significant Christian population, which has led to speculation among some locals about whether the attack may have been targeted. However, there is no verified evidence linking the incident to religious motives, and observers have advised caution in drawing conclusions until authorities conduct a proper investigation. This comes amid wider international conversations about security challenges in Nigeria, including unverified claims referenced by political figures abroad suggesting rising tensions involving Christian communities. Analysts within Nigeria have urged that such allegations be approached responsibly, emphasizing that accurate reporting and thorough investigation are essential to avoid inflaming existing tensions.
The attack has reignited debates about the vulnerability of rural communities in Nigeria’s northern region, where similar night raids have occurred in recent years. Residents expressed frustration over what they described as inadequate protection, saying that repeated warnings and small-scale threats in the past were not given the necessary attention. Community members who spoke on condition of anonymity said they felt particularly exposed once the mobile networks went down, leaving them with no way to communicate or coordinate any form of local defense.
Residents are now calling on the government and security agencies to provide urgent assistance, both in terms of humanitarian support and reinforced protection. Many displaced families say they have lost their homes, property, and livelihoods, and have no clarity about when it will be safe to resettle. Local leaders have urged authorities to deploy more personnel to the area, conduct search operations to locate missing residents, and secure the surrounding communities to prevent further displacement.
As of Wednesday morning, neither state nor federal officials had issued an official statement about the attack, and journalists who visited the area found it completely emptied of civilians. Emergency responders and humanitarian groups had not yet arrived, and volunteers from nearby towns were attempting to organize informal support for those who escaped.
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