At least eight residents have been kidnapped after armed men launched a coordinated night-time assault on Biresawa and several neighbouring communities in the Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State late Monday.

The attackers, who reportedly moved from village to village between 11 p.m. and midnight, operated on foot and were heavily armed. Residents say the bandits struck with precision, targeting homes across multiple settlements.

A resident who spoke under anonymity confirmed that two men and six women were taken from Biresawa alone.

“They came the way they usually do. So far, we have confirmed that two males and six females are missing. We still have no information on where they have been taken,” the resident said.

Families Devastated as Loved Ones Taken

One of the affected residents, Kabiru Usman, recounted how the gunmen infiltrated the area through nearby Tsundu village before storming Biresawa.

“They came on foot, carrying guns. They abducted my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife; and two other women,” he said, struggling to hold back emotion.

Usman added that villagers made an attempt to resist, but their basic weapons were no match for the superior firepower of the attackers.

“We tried to defend ourselves, but they were armed with guns. We couldn’t stand against them.”

Warnings Given to Security Agencies Before the Attack

Usman also revealed that the community had alerted security authorities earlier in the night after receiving information that bandits were heading toward the area.

“We called the police and the military when we got the report. They gave us their phone numbers and told us to inform them of any threats, which we did,” he said.

Multiple Communities Affected

Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers also targeted Sarmawa, Yan Chibi, and Gano communities in the same local government, abducting more residents.

A resident of Yan Chibi described the scene as terrifying.

“About 50 of them came on motorcycles, firing shots into the air. People ran for their lives. When things calmed down, we realised several people—mostly women—had been kidnapped.”

Across the affected villages, more than 10 people were reportedly abducted during the night-long assault.

Vigilantes Pursue Bandits Without Success

Local vigilantes and volunteer groups immediately mobilised after the attack, but their pursuit was cut short as the bandits fled towards neighbouring Katsina State, disappearing into the night.

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A vigilante leader confirmed that the communities had earlier raised concerns about the presence of “strange faces” in the area, adding that fear has now gripped residents following recent attacks in Shanono and Bagwai LGAs.

Communities Living in Fear

The wave of attacks has pushed many families to desperate safety measures.

According to vigilante sources, some residents now sleep outside their homes at night to avoid being caught by surprise should the bandits return.

The situation has heightened anxiety across Tsanyawa LGA as residents call for urgent and sustained security intervention.