Suspected terrorists have abducted a newlywed bride and four bridesmaids in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The abduction took place on Saturday in Kwaren Gamba, near Kuka Teke, a village repeatedly targeted by armed groups linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that the gunmen stormed the area, forcefully taking the victims and sparking widespread panic among residents.
villagers were reported to have watched helplessly as the assailants disappeared into the night with the victims.
A local elder, speaking anonymously, lamented the deteriorating security situation in the region.
“The situation is unbearable, and our people are losing hope,” he said.
In a separate but related attack, the terrorists reportedly stormed Dantudu Lajinge village in the same local government area on Monday, targeting members of the community’s local vigilante group.
According to eyewitness accounts, nine vigilantes were killed in gruesome manner, with their throats slit by the attackers.
The wives of the slain vigilantes were also reportedly abducted during the attack, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
A resident, Bello Dan-Tudu, described the brutality of the incident:
“They targeted members of our vigilante group and slaughtered nine of them like ordinary rams.”
Another eyewitness stated that 10 individuals were attacked, with one survivor currently receiving treatment at a hospital after being shot in the neck.
The Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Council, Ayuba Hamisu, confirmed the attacks and fatalities, highlighting the growing insecurity in the area.
These incidents underscore the escalating violence in Sokoto State and the broader northwestern region of Nigeria, where communities continue to grapple with relentless attacks by armed groups.
Families of the abducted victims and local residents have called on authorities to take urgent action to restore security and bring the perpetrators to justice.