A wedding that was meant to bring joy to Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area, turned into terror on Saturday night as armed bandits stormed the community, abducting a bride, her bridesmaids, and several well-wishers.
Residents said the young bride, preparing for her ceremony scheduled for the following morning, was taken along with other women who had gathered to support her.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck late at night, just as members of the household were retiring.
Chacho village, the hometown of Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, is now the latest community hit by a surge of kidnappings in the state.
The abduction occurred hours after a ransom reportedly amounting to 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 asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, confirmed the attack to our correspondent, saying 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 while the marauders operated freely for several minutes.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages sent to verify the incident.
The state chairman of the APC, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, confirmed the abduction but said he could not verify whether the bride was among those taken.
“Some residents of the village were abducted, but I don’t have the exact number at present,” the APC chairman said.
Sources said repeated attacks in neighbouring communities have left residents of Chacho in fear, and the latest abduction has left many traumatised, especially families preparing for the wedding.
“They had hoped the recent ransom paid in Rabah would bring some relief, but the renewed onslaught has only deepened anxiety,” the source added.
The bandits have reportedly not contacted the family or village leadership to make any demands, leaving relatives in confusion and helplessness.
As Chacho waits for further information, fear, grief, and uncertainty continue to hang over the community, which was once peaceful but now struggles under the weight of insecurity that has become common across parts of Sokoto State.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement, while residents are pleading for urgent government intervention, saying they have been left vulnerable for too long.