A night meant for celebration in Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, descended into chaos on Saturday as gunmen invaded the community and abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several residents.
As reported by Vanguard, the victims were reportedly preparing for a wedding ceremony scheduled for the following morning when the assailants struck, throwing the village into confusion and despair.
Eyewitnesses said the attack occurred just as families were settling in for the night. The gunmen were said to have operated unhindered, firing shots into the air before whisking away the bride and other women who had gathered to support her.
Chacho, hometown of the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has now joined a growing list of communities hit by persistent bandit attacks across the state.
The latest abduction came only hours after a ransom, reportedly ₦4 million and a motorcycle was paid for the release of earlier victims in Rabah town, headquarters of Rabah LGA and birthplace of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
A resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, confirmed the incident, saying the invaders stormed the community around midnight.
He described the attack as “heartbreaking,” adding that terrified women, children and the elderly fled into nearby bushes as the gunmen operated freely.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful, as he neither answered calls nor replied to text messages seeking confirmation as of press time.
The state chairman of the APC, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, acknowledged the attack but noted that details were still sketchy regarding those taken.
“Some residents of the village were abducted, but I don’t have the exact number at present,” says the APC chairman.
Residents said Chacho had been living under fear due to repeated assaults on neighbouring communities.
The latest incident, especially occurring on the eve of a wedding, has left many families traumatised.
According to sources, the bandits have yet to contact the family of the bride or village authorities, leaving the community in a state of uncertainty.
As tension heightens, villagers continue to wait anxiously for updates while appealing for urgent government intervention to curb the unrelenting wave of insecurity plaguing Sokoto communities.
Authorities were yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report.
0 Comments