News & Current Affairs

Terrorists In Katsina Kidnap Bride And 52 Other Women

By Azeezat Okunlola | Feb 6, 2024

In the Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, terrorists hijacked a wedding ceremony on Thursday night, abducting the bride and 52 ladies who were accompanying her to her marital house.

 

The ladies were travelling home to Dandume with the bride, from Ungwar Murjiya in Sabuwa Local Government Area, an area prone to assaults, when the group was attacked near Gamji by the terrorists.

 

A man, who was the vehicle conductor at the time of the incident at 8:30 p.m., sustained a gunshot wound and is currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in Damari.

 

“Yes, the incident occurred in Sabuwa Local Government Area but some of the victims are from my area (Dandume). They went to Sabuwa for a wedding and returned late around 9 p.m".

 

“I am on the road to Dandume now, I will let you know when I get more details of the attack. I have been informed that some of them have escaped so I need to be there to get the correct information. The truck conductor was shot in the hand and is receiving treatment in a hospital,” the Dandume Local Government Chairman, Bashiru Musa, told a Vanguard reporter in Katsina on Friday.

 

The local government chief claimed he was not aware of the precise number of persons taken. However, a resident of Damari, who only provided his name as Ibrahim, stated the truck was hauling more than 50 women.

 

“Some of the women have escaped but 53 of them, including the bride that was brought from Sabuwa, have been abducted by the terrorists. Those who escaped were lucky because the terrorists opened fire on the truck,” he said.

 

A number of people, including the driver, fled into the jungle, according to Mr Ibrahim.

 

In the Sabuwa Local Government Area, outside of Damari, a second group of terrorists attacked as the bride, her attendants, and other family members were being kidnapped.

 

A local of Damari named Abdulrauf Ghali confirmed to Premium Times over the phone that terrorists assassinated the three vigilantes while they were conducting a routine operation.

 

Those slain were Magaji Gamji, Dan Taura and Jamilu Badamasi, all members of a vigilante organisation in the region.

 

“They were courageous residents of this community who took it upon themselves to protect us,” Mr Ghali added.

 

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