Thirteen women were abducted by armed men during a raid on a village in northeastern Nigeria. According to a resident, 11 of those taken included the bride of a local man, as well as 10 bridesmaids. A baby and another woman were also taken.
The attack occurred late Saturday into Sunday night, bringing the latest in a string of mass kidnappings in Nigeria. Chacho Village had been targeted previously by bandits in October when 13 people were abducted, with ransom paid to secure their freedom.
According to Aliyu Abdullahi, the village was again targeted. "Bandits stormed our village last night and kidnapped 14 persons, including a bride and 10 bridesmaids, from a house in Zango neighbourhood," he said. A baby and another woman were also taken. The situation repeats previous incidents where local communities are vulnerable to violence.
Nigeria has been plagued by mass kidnappings for ransom in recent weeks, targeting schools and rural communities. Local authorities have found it hard to cope with the problem. President Bola Tinubu recently declared a nationwide emergency amid growing unrest across Nigeria.
Experts suggest that claims of anti-Christian genocide are simplistic and inaccurate. The US president threatened retaliation over perceived violence against Christians but there is no evidence of widespread persecution in Nigeria.
The number of abductions has led human rights groups to urge the government to take more action. However, authorities are struggling to cope with the rising levels of insecurity across the country.
The attack occurred late Saturday into Sunday night, bringing the latest in a string of mass kidnappings in Nigeria. Chacho Village had been targeted previously by bandits in October when 13 people were abducted, with ransom paid to secure their freedom.
According to Aliyu Abdullahi, the village was again targeted. "Bandits stormed our village last night and kidnapped 14 persons, including a bride and 10 bridesmaids, from a house in Zango neighbourhood," he said. A baby and another woman were also taken. The situation repeats previous incidents where local communities are vulnerable to violence.
Nigeria has been plagued by mass kidnappings for ransom in recent weeks, targeting schools and rural communities. Local authorities have found it hard to cope with the problem. President Bola Tinubu recently declared a nationwide emergency amid growing unrest across Nigeria.
Experts suggest that claims of anti-Christian genocide are simplistic and inaccurate. The US president threatened retaliation over perceived violence against Christians but there is no evidence of widespread persecution in Nigeria.
The number of abductions has led human rights groups to urge the government to take more action. However, authorities are struggling to cope with the rising levels of insecurity across the country.
14 innocent people just taken away by armed men in one night Wow... it's like a never-ending nightmare for Nigeria 
what's going on in that country?! They can't even keep their own communities safe, it's like they're getting played every time. The government is trying to deal with the situation but it seems like they need some serious backup from international partners 
this news is breaking my heart... 14 innocent lives were taken by armed men and it's just so senseless. those 11 bridesmaids who got taken away from their friend's wedding night must've been in shock and so scared 
i mean, we need more support for our communities, especially rural ones that are always vulnerable to attacks. it's not just the victims that suffer, but also their families who are left behind with no one to care for them 
. 14 people taken from a village? That's just horrific. I don't think we can just sit back and do nothing while these innocent lives are being snatched away. It's like, what's going on with our world right now? Can't we find a way to stop this madness?
. I'm all for respecting people's cultures and traditions, but when it comes down to basic human rights like life and freedom, who cares about that?
. We need to focus on finding actual solutions to these problems, not just spouting off empty threats and rhetoric.
I mean, 13 women and a baby were taken from a village? It's like something outta a horror movie. And to think they've been doing this for weeks now... it's like the government needs some serious backup. I'm not saying they're doin' enough already, but c'mon! This is just too much 
. Remember that time in West Africa when all these movies were playing like "Blood Diamond" and "Hotel Rwanda"? It's like, what's going on here? These women are being taken, one after another, and the authorities can't seem to do anything about it 
. We need to do something about this ASAP before it gets any worse...