A bride-to-be and her bridesmaid have been kidnapped by suspected bandits during a new 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, seizing the bride, her close friend, and eight additional residents.
All those abducted are women except for one male victim. One individual sustained injuries during the attack and is receiving treatment.
According to residents, the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that day when the gunmen struck.
A community member, who requested anonymity, described the situation as deeply distressing, noting that her wedding “was supposed to hold this morning,” but instead she and her bridesmaids “were taken away.”
He added that although security personnel were notified during the attack, they arrived nearly an hour after the gunmen had departed — a delay that has heightened frustration within the village.
“We are calling on the government to take its responsibility seriously and protect the lives and property of citizens,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident, stating that initial details had been gathered and further information was being compiled.
This attack is part of a growing wave of mass abductions across the country.
Earlier on Sunday, gunmen targeted a church in Kogi State, kidnapping a pastor and his wife during a service at the newly established Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area.
The community was thrown into panic as worshippers fled for safety while gunshots rang out. The pastor, popularly known as Orlando, was taken along with his wife and several church members.