After guests from a wedding in northwest Nigeria were abducted, at least 35 women went missing, officials said AFP on Monday.
In the most populated country in Africa, there have been other kidnappings recently, but this one in Katsina state is the biggest.
According to police spokesman Abubakar Aliyu, “suspected armed bandits ambushed and kidnapped about 35 women” on Thursday night as they were leaving the wedding in the Sabuwa district.
A greater number was provided by Nasiru Muaz, the state’s commissioner of internal security, who said that more than 50 persons were detained while returning to Damari village from escorting the bride to the groom’s house.
“Officials visited the village and were told that 53 people were taken,” according to him.
“Driving in the dark in an area known to be prone to bandits while singing and ululating was a dangerous situation for a convoy carrying a bride.
“The bandits seized that opportunity and took them away,” he stated.
In addition to warning citizens not to travel at night, the commissioner stated that security forces were attempting to locate and free the hostages.
In Nigeria, kidnapping for ransom is a serious issue. Criminal gangs target homes, highways, and even schools, snatching students hostage.
In the northwest and central states, gangs known as bandits run out of strongholds that are concealed in forests.
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