Suspected Bandits Abduct Bride and Bridesmaids, Kill Vigilantes in Sokoto State
Suspected terrorists, locally referred to as bandits, abducted a newly wedded bride and four bridesmaids on Saturday in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The abduction occurred at Kwaren Gamba, near Kuka Teke, a village frequently targeted by armed groups linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji. Eyewitnesses reported that the gunmen stormed the area, taking the victims by force and causing widespread panic. Residents were powerless to stop the attackers, who disappeared into the night.
A security source, Zagazola Makama, confirmed the community’s devastation, with families of the abductees expressing deep despair over the worsening insecurity in the region. "The situation is unbearable, and our people are losing hope," said a local elder who requested anonymity.
In a related attack on Monday, suspected bandits stormed Dantudu Lajinge village in the same local government area, killing nine members of the community’s local vigilante group. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers targeted the vigilantes, slitting their throats or shooting them at close range.
"The terrorists slaughtered nine vigilantes like ordinary rams," said Bello Dan-Tudu, a resident of the village. Another resident added that ten individuals were initially attacked, but one survived and is receiving treatment at a hospital.
The attackers also abducted the wives of the slain vigilantes, leaving the community in grief and shock.
The Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Council, Ayuba Hamisu, confirmed the incidents, describing the fatalities and abductions as deeply troubling.
These incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges in Sokoto State, with residents calling for urgent intervention to protect lives and restore peace in the affected areas.
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