Bandits invade Sokoto community, abduct bride, others

Suspected bandits in the early hours of Saturday stormed Chacho community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, abducting dozens of residents,  including a bride, her friends, and guests who had travelled for her wedding scheduled to hold later in the day.

Residents said the attackers struck deep in the night, throwing the community into confusion as families fled for safety.

A resident, Engr. Hadiyatullahi Hamisu Tarah, who first raised the alarm on social media, described the attack as “a devastating blow to families preparing for a joyful occasion.”

He said the gunmen also shot a resident, who is currently receiving treatment, before abducting the victim’s wife. Tarah estimated that up to 30 women may have been taken.

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“They went away with many women, including the bride and her friends who came for the ceremony. People are in shock. We pray for their safe return and for peace in our communities,” he said.

The incident has heightened fears in the North-West, where communities continue to grapple with recurring attacks.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Sokoto State Police Command were unsuccessful. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said he would respond but had not replied to enquiries as of the time of filing this report.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Isa Sadiq Acida,  the governing party’s leader who is also from the local government area,  confirmed the incident.

He, however, declined to comment on the number of persons abducted during the attack.

Another source from the community, Abubakar Salisu, who is a member of the vigilante group, put the number of abducted persons at 18.

Residents are urging security agencies and the state government to act urgently to rescue the abductees and strengthen security in the area.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE