Bandits Hit Sokoto Village, Kidnap Bride, Several Wedding Guests

On Saturday night, armed bandits abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several well-wishers in Chacho village, located in the Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attackers reportedly struck the community around midnight, firing shots into the air before taking the victims away. Local residents noted that women who had gathered to support the bride were among those kidnapped.

Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, the chairman of the Sokoto APC, confirmed the abduction of villagers but stated he could not verify whether the bride was included among them or provide an exact count of the victims. Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful as he did not answer calls or respond to text messages.

This incident occurred shortly after a ransom of ₦4 million and a motorcycle was reportedly paid for the release of earlier kidnapping victims in Rabah town. This raises significant concerns about the ongoing insecurity in the region.

Chacho, which is the hometown of Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, has now become the latest target in a troubling trend of kidnappings affecting various communities. Residents have expressed growing fear due to repeated attacks in neighboring areas.

A resident who spoke anonymously described the raid as “heartbreaking,” noting that women, children, and the elderly fled into nearby bushes as the gunmen operated freely without resistance. He added that the bandits have not yet contacted the bride’s family or community leaders with any demands, leaving relatives distressed and unsure of the victims’ fate.

As the community awaits updates, fear and uncertainty continue to grip Chacho village, once peaceful but now struggling under the weight of widespread insecurity. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, while residents are pleading for urgent government intervention.