#mass-kidnappings

#mass-kidnappings

In a statement late on Tuesday, Nigeria's national police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, said an abduction had indeed occurred on Sunday, and that the police had launched security operations with a clear focus on locating and safely rescuing the victims and restoring calm to the area. Hundeyin said the earlier denials by officers and other officials were intended to prevent unnecessary panic while facts were being confirmed.

A bride and 10 of her bridesmaids were among those abducted on the night of Saturday to Sunday from the village of Chacho in Sokoto State, a resident told the AFP news agency. Bandits stormed our village last night and kidnapped 14 persons, including a bride and 10 bridesmaids, from a house in Zango neighbourhood, said Aliyu Abdullahi, a resident of Chacho village. A baby, the baby's mother and another woman were also taken, Abdullahi added.