Bandits Threaten to Marry Bride and Sell 62 Wedding Guests in Katsina State Abduction

Bandits abducted women accompanying a bride to her matrimonial home at Damari, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State last Thursday. The captors released a chilling video on social media, threatening to force a marriage between the already married bride and one of them unless a ransom of N100 million is paid.

The video also revealed the bandits’ intention to sell the ’62 wedding guests’ kidnapped alongside the bride if their demands are not met. During the attack, four members of a vigilante group were reportedly killed, and over 55 wedding guests, including children, were snatched and held hostage.

The assailants, clad in police uniforms, taunted the government, vowing not to release the captives until the ransom is paid. In the video, some captives were seen with AK-47 rifles hung around their necks, while the bride was dressed in an army uniform.

The bride’s family confirmed the demand for a N100 million ransom, expressing their inability to meet such a sum. The bandits justified the video as a challenge to the state governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who had vowed to rescue the victims.

Haruna Abdullahi, an uncle of the bride, disclosed, “They are asking for N100 million as ransom. None of us has ever seen that amount of money.” He acknowledged the governor’s commitment to rescuing the victims but emphasized the family’s financial constraints.

The Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, assured that government officials were working with security agents to devise strategies for the safe rescue of the captives. However, he urged patience, emphasizing the complexity of the rescue operation.

In related incidents, bandit attacks and abductions have surged in Katsina State recently. The Katsina State police spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, promised to provide information on their efforts when contacted for a reaction but had not done so at the time of filing this report.