Nigeria: Bandits Reportedly Abduct 26 in Kaduna

About 26 people are said to have been abducted by gunmen along the Kaduna -Kachia road and Kugo village in Chikun Local government area of Kaduna state.
No fewer than 21 people may have been abducted along the Kaduna – Kachia road while five women were said to have been abducted in Kugo village, near Godani Railway Staion, Chikun LGA, on their way to the farm.
Both incidents occurred on Friday.

Luka Bako, a counsellor representing Zonkwa ward in Zango Kataf Local government area of the state was among those abducted along the Kaduna-Kachia road, but miraculously escaped.
Speaking on the incident in a telephone interview with THISDAY on Saturday, Bako said he was travelling from Zonkwa to Kaduna in a Sharon commercial bus when the bandits struck.
According to him, the incident occurred on Friday around  5pm after Doka village, Kajuru Local government area.
“We were travelling in a Sharon commercial bus from Zonkwa to Kaduna. We were eight in the bus. As we approached the mango plantation after Doka, we saw two people in military camouflage carrying AK47 riffles standing on the road.
“Initially, we thought they were soldiers,  but when we got closer we realised that their dressing was not complete. But it was too late for us  to turn back.
“They stopped us and asked us where we are coming from and where we were going. “They asked the driver to open the booth of the vehicle. As the driver went to open the booth, they ordered the eight of us in the bus to come down.
“Four other vehicles, carrying passengers were also stopped.

“They ordered everybody into the bush. As we entered the bush, other members of the bandits came out from their hideouts to guide us into the bush.
“Myself and a driver that  was carried passengers from Jos, miraculously escaped”.
Bako said, based on his calculation 21 people may have been abducted.
“Based on our calculation, those abducted were up to 21, I am not certain, they could be more or less, but  based on calculation, 21 people were abducted”, he said.
He said he reported the  incident to the Kajuru Divisional Police Station.

In Kugo village, five women were said to have been abducted on their way to the farm on Friday.
A resident of the village said  in a telephone interview that the women were going to harvest yam.
When contacted, Mohammed Jalige, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, said he was not aware of the incident along the Kaduna-Kachia road, but promised to make his findings and get back.
At the time of filing this report, he was yet to get back.

The police spokesman however said Kugo village, is in Niger state and not within the jurisdiction of Kaduna police command.
Meanwhile security agencies have captured three suspected bandits and rescued two kidnapping victims.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday, by Samuel Aruwan, the commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs.

According to the statement, “Troops under the auspices of Operation Thunder Strike rescued two kidnapped women, close to Gadanin Gwari, Gwagwada District of Chikun local government area.”
Aruwan said operational feedback to the state government, indicated that “the women were suddenly abducted as they made their way to their farm. “
He said, “The troops on patrol tracked down the criminals and engaged them in a firefight, forcing them to abandon their captives and run for their lives.”
He said, “After securing the women, the troops pursued the bandits, destroying many bandit camps along the way.”The statement said bandits were eventually trapped in Gajina settlement in Chikun LGA, adding that three suspected  “kidnappers were apprehended and are now in custody, while the rescued women have returned to their homes.”
The statement further said  police personnel rescued two persons who were abducted at Kurmin Idon axis along  Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kajuru local government area.
The commissioner said “Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction with the reports, and commended the troops and personnel for their pro-active efforts in rescuing the victims and arresting the three bandits.
“He tasked them to ensure detailed investigations, and prosecution of the arrested culprits.
“Vigorous patrols will continue in the general area.”

John Shiklam

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