Suspected bandits attacked Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State in the early hours of Sunday, abducting a bride-to-be and her bridesmaids just hours before her wedding ceremony.

The assailants reportedly invaded the community at about 1:30 a.m., kidnapping the bride-to-be, her friends, and eight other residents. Except for one man, all the victims abducted were women. One person was also injured during the attack and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

A resident, who spoke anonymously, described the incident as heartbreaking.

“We are saddened by the development. The girl’s wedding was supposed to take place this morning, but she was abducted along with her friends who were to serve as her bridesmaids,” he said.

He added that seven additional women and one man were taken, lamenting that security operatives arrived about an hour after the attackers had already fled.

“We are appealing to our government to live up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of its people in line with their oath of office,” he added.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the incident, noting that details were still being gathered.