At least 30 women and girls were reportedly kidnapped on Saturday night when armed bandits attacked Chacho community in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
One resident sustained injuries during the attack, according to a post on X by security analyst Bakatsine on Sunday.
Reports indicate that the assailants entered the community under the cover of darkness and abducted numerous women and girls, including a bride and her bridesmaids, just hours before her planned wedding ceremony.
The mass kidnapping underscores the growing insecurity in parts of the North-West, where communities are increasingly subjected to raids by armed groups. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
Bakatsine said the attackers struck the community at night and took away the victims shortly before the scheduled wedding.
“On Saturday night, bandits invaded Chacho community in Wurno LGA of Sokoto State. They injured one person and abducted at least 30 women and girls, including a bride and her bridesmaids,” he wrote.
“A day meant for joy and celebration was thrown into mourning as bandits stormed the area and inflicted wounds. How much more pain must ordinary families endure before they find safety?” he added.
The attack comes amid a spike in violent raids on schools, churches, and rural settlements across the region. Security operatives have increased deployments, with soldiers and tactical police units stepping up efforts to contain the crisis.
In a related incident, a man, his wife, and three children died in a fire at Kofar Sauri community in the Katsina State metropolitan area on Monday morning.
A source from the area who requested anonymity said the fire occurred shortly after electricity was restored. He suspected a power surge might have caused the inferno, noting that the local power company often restores electricity late at night and sometimes delivers high voltage.
Another resident suggested that the intensifying harmattan winds may have contributed to the fire, while a different local urged security agencies to investigate the incident to rule out possible sabotage.
