Kidnappers abduct 35 wedding guests in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria: At least 35 women are missing after kidnappers seized guests returning from a wedding in northwestern Nigeria, officials told AFP on Monday.

The mass kidnapping in Katsina state is the largest in a series of recent abductions across Africa´s most populous country.

Police spokesman Abubakar Aliyu said “suspected armed bandits ambushed and kidnapped about 35 women” coming back from the wedding in the Sabuwa area on Thursday night.

The state´s internal security commissioner Nasiru Muaz gave a higher figure, saying more than 50 people were seized on the way back to Damari village after escorting the bride to the groom´s home.

“Officials visited the village and were told that 53 people were taken,” he said.

“It was quite risky for a convoy conveying a bride to drive in the dark in such a bandits-prone area amid singing and ululating.