Bandits Kidnap 55 Wedding Guests Escorting Bride in Katsina

Suspected bandits abducted over 55 wedding guests escorting a bride in Damari town, Sabuwa Local Government Area, Katsina State

A resident confirmed to PUNCH Online on Friday in a telephone call that the incident happened on Thursday around 9 pm.

The source further informed PUNCH Online that three local security volunteers lost their lives in the hastily coordinated rescue effort for the victims.

“Most of those the hoodlums attacked and abducted were those who were already crowded and riding in an open van called canter vehicle

“The victims were initially over 70, mostly friends to the bride, in which several others escaped after jumping off the moving canter van when the terrorists hijacked the van,” he said

It has been gathered that the Sabuwa area is grappling with security challenges.

The local government area contends with the presence of bandits and their accomplices, often serving as informants.

The report was confirmed by Alhaji Basiru Musa, the Chairman of Dandume Local Government Area.

While there are reports that haven’t been confirmed, indicating a possibility of some kidnapped women escaping, the chairman has assured to verify the information and furnish updates

He explained that, despite the women being from Dandume, the bandits intercepted them on their way from Sabuwa Local Government Area around 9 pm.

Sabuwa and Dandume are facing significant challenges from bandit activities in Katsina State
In a related incident at the same time, gunmen from the Siddi forest have been confirmed to have infiltrated Tashar Nadaya, near the Gazari district border in Sabuwa LG.

The criminals were reported to have killed a commercial motorcycle rider and fled with his bike.

It was learned that they opened fire on a group of four individuals and confiscated their motorcycles.

Efforts by PUNCH Online to obtain official confirmation of this recent abduction from the police and other security agencies have proved unsuccessful.

Kanyi Daily recalls that in Katsina State yesterday, police operatives killed a bandit and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) during an attempted kidnap in the Dandume community