By Precious Afolagboye |
No fewer than 55 wedding guests have been reportedly kidnapped by some gunmen, believed to be bandits in Damari town, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The bandits who attacked the guest’s wedding convoy around 9 pm on Thursday in Damari town, allegedly killed three people.
According to the report, the wedding guests, who were part of a convoy escorting a bride home, were traveling in an open van when they were ambushed by the terrorists.
A source told an online platform, Sahara Reporters that the initial number of guests was over 70, with several managing to escape by jumping off the moving vehicle during the hijack.
While the chaos ensued, three local security volunteers who attempted a rescue were killed in the process.
The source added that three local security volunteers lost their lives during emergency effort to rescue 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 source said.
“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.”
Effort is currently been made to get the reaction of the State Police Public Relations Officer’s confirmation on the matter.
When contacted late Saturday by NATIONAL TELESCOPE reporter, the spokesperson for Katsina Police Command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu said 35 people were kidnapped.
He said, “On February 1, 2024, at about 2135 hrs, a group of women en route to Unguwar Mujiya village, Dandume LGA, from Gamji village, Sabuwa LGA, came back from a wedding ceremony. Upon reaching a point between Sabuwa and Dandume LGAs, some suspected armed bandits ambushed and kidnapped about thirty-five (35) women.
“The command has deployed its intelligence and operational assets towards ensuring the prompt and unhurt rescue of the kidnapped victims. Further developments will be communicated in due course.”
