In a distressing incident in Chacho village, Wurno local government area of Sokoto state, suspected terrorists abducted a bride and several wedding guests. The abductors contacted the families two days later, but no ransom has yet been demanded. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, just hours before the scheduled wedding ceremony, leaving the community in shock and underlining the severe security challenges in Sokoto.

Malam Umaru Chacho, father of the kidnapped bride, confirmed that 13 individuals were abducted, including 11 females and two males. He recounted the peculiar nature of the abductors’ contact: “When they called, they said we should connect them with the traditional ruler of the town. We refused and asked them to speak to us instead, but they declined, insisting they wanted to speak with our traditional ruler.” This unusual demand has left the families bewildered as they await further communication.

The violent attack also caused several injuries. A relative of the bride who attempted to resist the bandits was shot, sustaining a severe gunshot wound, narrowly surviving the ordeal. The incident adds to a long history of violence in Chacho village, where Malam Umaru Chacho revealed that more than 30 people have been killed over the past five years due to persistent bandit attacks.

Beyond immediate threats, the community of Chacho grapples with significant neglect and lack of essential infrastructure. Malam Umaru Chacho lamented the absence of a police outpost, a functional hospital, and other critical amenities, attributing these deficiencies to prolonged government neglect. Residents in Wurno and neighboring areas have repeatedly reported recurring kidnappings, rural raids, and insecurity, arguing that inadequate security presence has emboldened criminal groups and left villages vulnerable, particularly during social gatherings. Chacho village continues to appeal for government intervention, including establishing a police post and improving healthcare support to address the escalating crisis.