Bandits storm Katsina wedding venue, whisk away 35 guest
The mass kidnapping in Katsina state is the largest in a series of recent abductions across Africa's most populous country.
At least 35 women are missing after kidnappers abducted guests returning from a wedding in northwestern Nigeria, officials told AFP on Monday.
The mass kidnapping in Katsina state is the largest in a string of recent abductions in Africa’s most populous country.
According to police spokesman Abubakar Aliyu, “suspected armed bandits ambushed and kidnapped about 35 women” as they returned from a wedding in the Sabuwa district on Thursday night.
Nasiru Muaz, the state’s internal security commissioner, reported a larger total, stating more than 50 persons were apprehended on their way back to Damari village after accompanying the bride to the groom’s home.
“Officials visited the village and were told that 53 people were taken,” he said.
“It was quite risky for a convoy conveying a bride to drive in the dark in such a bandits-prone area amid singing and ululating.
“The bandits seized that opportunity and took them away,” he said