A newlywedded bride and 52 others were abducted as suspected bandits attacked a wedding convoy in Katsina State, Northwest, Nigeria.
The attack occurred late Thursday, January 1, 2024, near Gamji as the group was returning to Dandume from Ungwar Murjiya in Sabuwa Local Government Area.
According to reports, the assailants ambushed the victims around 8:30 p.m., leaving the truck conductor injured and currently receiving medical treatment at a facility in Damari.
The Dandume Local Government Chairman, Bashiru Musa, who confirmed the incident to reporters, stated that he could not ascertain the exact number of those abducted
“Yes, the incident occurred in Sabuwa Local Government Area, but some of the victims are from my area (Dandume). They went to Sabuwa for a wedding and returned late, around 9 p.m.
“I am on the road to Dandume now; I will let you know when I get more details of the attack. I have been informed that some of them have escaped so I need to be there to get the correct information. The truck conductor was shot in the hand and is receiving treatment in a hospital.”
However, a resident of Damari, who identified himself as Ibrahim, claimed that the truck was transporting more than 50 women.
“Some of the women have escaped, but 53 of them, including the bride that was brought from Sabuwa, have been abducted by the terrorists. Those who escaped were lucky because the terrorists opened fire on the truck,” he said.
This attack is one of many others amid a spike in kidnappings in different parts of Nigeria.
But the Presidency last week said Nigeria’s security challenges were being exaggerated by the media and claimed that countries like South Africa face worse situations.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES ON PRUDENCE JOURNAL
38 killed, 52 injured after clash over pastures in South Sudan
Nigeria’s Central Bank bans banks, fintechs from international money transfer operations
EU announces plans to launch new military operation in Red Sea
56-year-old man sentenced to life imprisonment for raping 17-year-old domestic worker
South Africa’s ruling ANC suspends Ex-President Jacob Zuma’s membership