In a shocking development that has heightened security concerns across northwestern Nigeria, armed bandits launched a brazen attack on Chacho village in Sokoto State's Wurno Local Government Area, kidnapping a bride and several wedding guests during what should have been a joyous celebration.
Midnight Terror Disrupts Wedding Preparations
The violent incident occurred around midnight on Saturday, November 29, 2025, when the gunmen stormed the community, firing sporadically into the air and creating panic among residents. According to eyewitness accounts, the bandits specifically targeted the wedding party, abducting the bride, her bridesmaids, and numerous well-wishers who had gathered to support the young woman ahead of her scheduled wedding ceremony the following morning.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the scene as chaotic, with women, children, and elderly community members fleeing into nearby bushes for safety. The source revealed that the attackers operated freely without facing any resistance during their operation.
Community Left in Distress as Bandits Remain Silent
The kidnapping has left the entire community in a state of fear and uncertainty, with relatives of the victims experiencing extreme distress. What compounds the anxiety is the fact that the bandits have not yet made contact with either the bride's family or community leaders to state their demands.
"The silence from the kidnappers has been particularly heartbreaking," the anonymous villager stated, emphasizing the emotional toll the situation has taken on families awaiting news about their loved ones' fate.
Official Confirmation and Wider Security Concerns
When contacted for verification, the Sokoto State APC chairman, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, acknowledged the attack but stated he could not confirm whether the bride was among those abducted or provide the exact number of victims.
The police response remained unclear as the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, could not be reached for comment. Multiple attempts to contact him via phone calls and text messages went unanswered.
This attack comes amid growing concerns about escalating insecurity in Nigeria's northwest region. Notably, the incident occurred just hours after a ransom payment of ₦4 million and a motorcycle was reportedly made to secure the release of earlier kidnapping victims in Rabah town, highlighting the persistent nature of bandit activities in the area.
The Chacho village attack forms part of a disturbing pattern of violence across northern Nigeria, with similar incidents reported in Kano State where bandits killed an elderly woman and abducted residents in Yankamaye village, and in Kogi State where gunmen attacked a church, kidnapping the pastor, his wife, and several congregation members.
