Armed bandits, late on Saturday night, stormed Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area and abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several well-wishers.
It was learnt that the young bride, who was preparing for her wedding ceremony scheduled for the following morning, was taken alongside other women who had gathered to support her.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with Vanguard revealed that bandits attacked as members of the household were retiring for the night.
Chacho village, the hometown of the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has now become the latest community to fall victim to the rising wave of kidnappings sweeping across the state.
The abduction comes barely hours after another ransom, reportedly consisting of four million naira and a motorcycle was paid to secure the release of victims previously held in Rabah town, headquarters of Rabah LGA and birthplace of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
A resident of Chacho, who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal, confirmed the incident to Vanguard.
He said the gunmen invaded the community at about midnight, shooting sporadically before whisking away the bride and others.
He described the scene as “heartbreaking,” noting that women, children, and elderly persons fled to nearby bushes as the marauders operated freely for several minutes without resistance.
The state chairman of the APC, Isah Sadeeq Achida, confirmed the incident but failed to verify whether a Bride was among those abducted at the time of the attack.
“Some residents of the village were abducted, but I don’t have the exact number at present,” says the APC chairman.
The source said residents of Chacho have been living in fear due to repeated attacks in surrounding communities, adding that the latest abduction has left many traumatised, especially families preparing for the wedding.
He explained that community members had hoped the recent ransom paid in Rabah would bring some relief or signal a reduction in criminal activities.
According to him, the bandits have not yet contacted the family of the bride or the village leadership to make any demands, leaving relatives in a state of confusion and helplessness.
