The father of a bride abducted along with her friends in Chacho village, Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, has revealed that the kidnappers contacted the community two days after the attack.

Malam Umaru Chacho confirmed on Monday that the suspected terrorists who stormed the village and took 13 people, including 11 women and two men called the families but did not demand any ransom.

He said, “Yes, they have contacted us. When they called, they said we should connect them with the traditional ruler of the town, but we refused. We asked them to speak with us instead, but they declined, insisting they wanted to speak to our traditional ruler.”

The incident occurred during preparations for a wedding and left several villagers injured. Umaru disclosed that one relative of the bride, who resisted the abductors, “sustained a serious gunshot wound and narrowly survived.”

READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Groom, Abduct Bride, 7 Others In Zamfara

He expressed growing concern over the worsening security situation in Chacho, noting that the community has endured repeated attacks over the years. “Over 30 people have been killed here in the last five years since these bandits started disturbing our community,” he said.

Beyond insecurity, Umaru highlighted the lack of basic infrastructure in the village, describing Chacho as a large rural settlement that has long been neglected by authorities.

“Despite our population, we don’t have a police outpost, we don’t have a functional hospital, and many essential amenities are missing. This has made life even harder for our people,” he lamented.

Wurno and surrounding areas have faced persistent security threats, with kidnappings, banditry, and raids becoming frequent occurrences. Residents say the absence of adequate security has emboldened criminals and left villages vulnerable, particularly during social events.

Chacho village, one of the largest settlements in the area, has repeatedly appealed for government intervention, including the creation of a police outpost and better healthcare support.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the recent abduction, while families continue to await further contact from the kidnappers.