Kidnappers on the prowl in Taraba rural communities Send resident fleeing
According to him, Alhaji Jam lost his younger brother, Abubakar who attempted to prevent the abductors from taking away his elder brother.
Similarly, Alhaji Bagobiri and Alhaji Musa were abducted at Garin Abba and Tella respectively and made to pay heavy ransoms before they secured freedom. Others were Alhaji Nuhu Badija, Alhaji Sanusi, Alhaji Bello, Alhaji Buba Gauri and Alhaji Danmaliki abducted at different times in their villages in Gassol Local Government area between 2016 and this year.
Another Victim, Alhaji Bala Yamusa told our reporter that his abductors took him on a six-year motorcycle journey blindfolded. “I was taken before a heavily built man whom I suspected was the leader of the gang. He told me not to worry as long as I will obey their instructions.
“At about 2pm, he asked me to use my phone and call my wife and tell her that the sum of N15million must be paid for my release.”
According to him, the wife started crying upon hearing his voice and told her not worry even though I don’t have the amount I was told to pay. Besides, they threatened to kill him if the amount they demanded was not deposited at a particular location after it was eventually reduced to N5million.
Alhaji Bala said it was a terrible experience in the kidnappers’ den because they are heartless and merciless and showed him corpses of victims whose relations failed to pay ransom they demanded.
In Bali, the story was the same as more than 34 people were abducted in Garba Chede and Maihula as well as other villages and millions in ransoms were also paid.
A lecturer with the Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai, Malam Ibrahim Ibbi was killed early this year by kidnappers following failure by his family to raised N1million demanded.
Unfortunately, many families of victims never inform security agencies as the abductors always threaten them that they would be killed.
Those interviews however alleged that in some cases suspects arrested in connection with kidnapping were released by the police, a situation which enable abductors to carry their activities unchecked.
A resident of Dananacha, Mr Felix Bulus told Daily Trust on Sunday that about 20 suspected kidnappers were arrested in the area but was not sure if they were charge to court.
The Chairman of Gassol Local Government Area, Alhaji Yahuzu Ya’u told our reporter that the area was under threat from activities of kidnappers.
He blamed crime activities in the area to the influx of visitors from different parts of the country but added that most kidnappings were carried out with connivance of the indigenes.
The chairman however appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, other security agencies and the state government to focus its attention in the area in order to flush out the criminals.
Ya’u lamented that as a result of activities of the kidnappers, many large-scale farmers and wealthy individuals have relocated for the safety.
The Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP David Misal, dismissed the allegation that suspected kidnappers were release by the police. He said the case of kidnapping was not to be granted bail and all those arrested were charged to court. He blamed families of victims of paying ransom without informing the police.
On inroads by the police, he said, they have succeeded in arresting a kidnapper with a N500, 000 ransom he collected following a tip -off.
DSP Misal said Taraba police command was doing its best in dealing with issue of kidnapping adding that the situation was different from what was happening in other parts of the country because most those kidnapped were abducted in their houses.
He therefore appealed to members of the public to always give police useful information any suspected person or group.