Armed bandits on Saturday night abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several wedding guests in Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, disrupting preparations for a ceremony scheduled the following morning.
Residents said the attackers stormed the community around midnight, firing sporadically before whisking away the victims to an unknown location. Several women who had gathered to support the bride were reportedly among those taken.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful. Sokoto State APC chairman, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, confirmed the abductions but could not verify whether the bride was among those kidnapped or provide a precise number of victims.
Sources indicated that the raid occurred just hours after a ransom of ₦4 million and a motorcycle was reportedly paid for the release of previous victims in nearby Rabah town, highlighting growing insecurity in the state.
Chacho, the hometown of Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has become the latest target in a spate of kidnappings affecting several communities. Residents said they live in fear due to repeated attacks in surrounding areas.
Local resident Salisu Wurno described the raid as “heartbreaking,” noting that women, children, and the elderly fled into nearby bushes as the bandits operated unhindered. He added that the kidnappers have yet to contact the victims’ families, leaving them anxious about their fate.
Authorities have not issued an official statement, while residents continue to appeal for urgent government intervention.
