A night of celebration turned into tragedy on Saturday when armed terrorists stormed Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, kidnapping a bride-to-be, her bridesmaids, and several well-wishers who had gathered ahead of a wedding scheduled for Sunday morning.
The attackers reportedly invaded the quiet community around midnight, shooting indiscriminately as residents fled for safety. Women who had assembled to keep the bride company were among those whisked away in the chaos.
Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, confirmed that a number of villagers were taken. However, he said he could not immediately verify whether the bride was among the abducted or determine the total number of victims.
Efforts to reach the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, proved abortive, as repeated calls and text messages went unanswered.
Fresh Kidnapping Amid Ongoing Crisis
The Chacho attack occurred barely hours after families in Rabah town reportedly paid a ransom of ₦4 million and a motorcycle to secure the release of earlier abductees. The back-to-back incidents have intensified public anxiety over the deteriorating security situation in Sokoto and surrounding communities.
Chacho, the hometown of the state’s Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has now joined the growing list of villages terrorized by criminal groups. Residents say they have been on edge due to frequent raids in neighbouring settlements.
Residents Flee Into Bush as Attackers Operate Freely
A community member who spoke on condition of anonymity described the attack as devastating. According to him, women, children, and elderly residents fled into nearby bushes as the gunmen moved from house to house unchallenged.
“It was heartbreaking. Everyone ran for their lives. The gunmen operated without resistance, and people scattered in fear,”
he said.
The source added that, as of Sunday morning, the abductors had not contacted the bride’s relatives or community leaders with ransom demands, deepening anxiety among families waiting for news of their loved ones.
The latest abduction adds to the rising cases of mass kidnappings in Sokoto, raising fresh concerns about the government’s capacity to secure rural communities from emboldened terrorist groups.
