Bandits Kidnap 55 Wedding Guests, Kill 3 In Katsina

Some gunmen, believed to be bandits, attacked a wedding convoy in Damari town, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing three and abducting no fewer than 55 of the guests.

The attack occurred around 9pm on Thursday in Damari town as confirmed by local residents on Friday, online news platform, Sahara Reporters reported.

The wedding guests, who were part of a convoy escorting a bride home, were travelling in an open van when they were ambushed by the terrorists.

Quoting unnamed sources, the news outlet, said the initial number of guests was over 70, with several managing to escape by jumping off the moving vehicle during the hijack.

In the chaos that ensued, three local security volunteers who attempted a rescue were tragically killed.

The area has been struggling with the menace of banditry, exacerbated by the presence of informants collaborating with the criminals.

The Chairman of the neighbouring Dandume Local Government Area, Alhaji Basiru Musa, confirmed the incident.

While there are unverified reports of some kidnapped women managing to escape, Musa has pledged to verify these claims and provide further updates.

It was noted that the victims, primarily friends of the bride from Dandume, were intercepted by the bandits on their journey from Sabuwa.

Sabuwa and Dandume are among the local government areas in Katsina State that have been severely affected by banditry activities.

Additionally, around the same time of the wedding guest abduction, gunmen believed to originate from the Siddi forest were reported to have attacked Tashar Nadaya near the Gazari district border in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

In this separate incident, a commercial motorcycle rider was killed, and his bike was stolen.

The attackers also targeted a group of four individuals, opening fire and seizing their motorcycles.