Two separate overnight attacks in Sokoto and Kogi states have deepened fears across northern Nigeria, after armed men abducted a bride, her bridesmaids, and several worshippers in incidents occurring barely hours apart.
Bride, Bridesmaids Abducted in Sokoto Community
What was expected to be a night of celebration in Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, turned into chaos when armed bandits invaded the community late Saturday night.
According to residents, the bride—whose wedding ceremony was slated for the next morning—was seized alongside her bridesmaids and other women who had gathered to prepare for the event.
The attackers reportedly stormed the village around midnight, firing shots into the air as terrified villagers scattered into the surrounding bushes.
Chacho, hometown of the Sokoto State Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Shehu Alhaji Chacho, has witnessed increasing criminal activity in recent months.
The latest incident occurred barely hours after kidnappers in nearby Rabah accepted a ransom reportedly comprising ₦4 million and a motorcycle to free earlier abductees.
Residents say the renewed attack has left the community traumatized, with many families staying outdoors overnight or fleeing to neighboring settlements.
At the time of this report, the abductors had made no contact with the family of the bride or village leaders.
Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, were unsuccessful, while the state APC chairman, Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, confirmed an abduction but said he could not yet verify the number of victims or the identity of those taken.
Kogi Church Attack Leaves Community in Fear
In a related development, panic spread through Ejiba, a community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, after gunmen attacked a Cherubim and Seraphim Church during early worship hours on Sunday.
The attackers reportedly abducted the pastor, his wife, and several congregants, forcing others to flee into nearby bushes.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the attack in a statement and condemned what he described as “a deeply tragic assault on innocent worshippers.”
Fanwo noted that preliminary intelligence suggests the assailants may have been hiding in or around the community in the days leading up to the incident.
He criticised residents for failing to report suspicious individuals and cautioned religious groups against holding gatherings in isolated locations without security arrangements.
“We must all be more vigilant. Intelligence sharing is crucial at this time,” he urged.
The commissioner added that both state authorities and local government officials had launched operations to track the attackers and secure the release of the abducted victims.
Growing Anxiety Across Northern Communities
Both incidents underscore the widening insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnappings, and rural attacks have intensified in recent years.
Communities in Sokoto and Kogi expressed feelings of abandonment, calling for urgent government intervention, improved policing, and stronger intelligence networks to protect vulnerable populations.
As rescue operations continue in both states, families of the abducted victims remain in anguish—waiting for updates, hoping for swift government action, and fearing further attacks in the days ahead.
