Bride, Bridesmaids, and Infant Among Victims in Latest Abduction

In northeastern Nigeria, armed attackers kidnapped 13 women and an infant during an overnight raid, highlighting the continuing security crisis in the region. The incident occurred in the village of Chacho in Sokoto State, where a bride and 10 of her bridesmaids were among the victims taken from a local residence on the night of Saturday to Sunday.

According to residents, a baby, the baby’s mother, and another woman were also abducted during the attack. Local eyewitness Aliyu Abdullahi described the event to AFP:

“Bandits stormed our village last night and kidnapped 14 persons, including a bride and 10 bridesmaids, from a house in Zango neighbourhood.”

Chacho had previously been targeted by armed gangs in October, when 13 people were kidnapped, forcing villagers to pay ransom for their release. Abdullahi expressed concern over the recurrence:

“We had to pay ransom to secure their freedom. Now, we are faced with the same situation.”

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Surge in Mass Kidnappings Across Northern Nigeria

A Nigerian intelligence report confirmed the attack and noted a sharp rise in abductions in Sokoto during November, marking the highest number of such incidents in the past year. Analysts suggest that prior deals negotiated by neighboring states with bandits, in attempts to curb violence, may have inadvertently contributed to a spike in attacks.

This latest abduction comes amid a wave of mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria. Just last week, armed groups seized 25 students in Kebbi State and over 300 in Niger State. While the Kebbi students were later rescued, the search continues for many others still missing.

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Ransom-Driven Violence and Local Security Challenges

Northern Nigeria has been plagued by ransom-driven kidnappings, often targeting schools, weddings, and rural communities. Armed gangs frequently overwhelm local security forces, taking advantage of poor infrastructure and limited law enforcement presence.

These incidents have placed growing pressure on the Nigerian government, with President Bola Tinubu declaring a nationwide emergency on Wednesday in response to escalating attacks. Despite efforts to address security threats, banditry and organized crime continue to pose major challenges.

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International Reactions and Controversy

The rise in attacks has drawn global attention. US President Donald Trump recently threatened military action in Nigeria in response to alleged anti-Christian violence, though human rights organizations caution that claims of a “Christian genocide” are simplistic and misleading.

Experts emphasize the complexity of northern Nigeria’s security crisis, pointing to overlapping issues including ethnic tensions, rural poverty, and weak law enforcement, which fuel repeated abductions and criminal activity.

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Looking Ahead

The ongoing spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, community protection initiatives, and intelligence-led operations. Analysts warn that without stronger measures, northern Nigeria may continue to experience high-profile abductions targeting civilians, students, and vulnerable groups, perpetuating fear and instability across the region.