By Deborah Nnamdi
Suspected bandits have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents in a fresh attack on Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The assault occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday when armed men invaded the community, whisking away the bride, her close friend, and several other residents. All the victims are women except one man. One person sustained injuries during the attack and is receiving treatment.
Residents told newsmen that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later in the day when the gunmen struck. A community member, who asked not to be named, described the incident as “tragic,” noting that the bride’s special day was turned into a nightmare.
He lamented that security operatives were alerted during the raid but arrived about an hour after the attackers had escaped. “We are calling on the government to take its responsibility seriously and protect the lives and property of citizens,” he said.
Spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident, saying preliminary information had been gathered while further details were being compiled.
The abduction adds to the growing wave of insecurity across the country. Earlier on Sunday, gunmen attacked a church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, kidnapping a pastor, his wife, and other worshippers during service. Witnesses said panic erupted as gunfire forced congregants to flee for safety before the attackers overpowered the pastor, popularly known as Orlando, and took him and others away.
