Bride-to-be, bridesmaid, 8 others kidnapped in overnight attack on Sokoto community
A bride preparing for her wedding and her bridesmaid were among ten people seized during a violent raid on Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday.
According to residents, the attackers invaded the community at about 1:30 a.m., moving from house to house before abducting the young woman set to wed later that morning, her close friend, and eight additional villagers.
”Only one of the victims is male, while another resident sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Community members who spoke anonymously described the incident as devastating, noting that preparations for the wedding were already underway when armed men stormed the village.
One villager said security agencies were contacted during the attack but arrived roughly an hour after the gunmen had escaped, a delay that has intensified anger and fear among locals.
He appealed to authorities to strengthen security, stressing that communities in the region continue to suffer repeated attacks without timely intervention.
The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the kidnapping, with spokesman DSP Ahmad Rufa’i stating that officers have received initial reports and are gathering additional information to aid ongoing investigations.
The abduction added to a series of high-profile kidnapping incidents recorded across the country in recent weeks.
In a separate incident Sunday morning, gunmen stormed a church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor widely known by his nickname Orlando and his wife during a service at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church.
Worshippers reportedly fled in panic as shots rang out, leaving the congregation in disarray and raising further concerns about the growing wave of insecurity targeting communities and religious institutions alike.
