Bandits kidnap 27 in Kaduna, Katsina college

Banditry regained momentum in Kaduna and Katsina states yesterday where no fewer than 27 persons were abducted.

The abduction took place despite measures, including curfew and closure of schools, put in place by governors of the two states.

Eighteen persons including women and children were kidnapped when bandits invaded Keke II, a community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The bandits, who stormed the Kaduna community around 12 midnight, blocked all exit and entry points thereby preventing residents from escaping and receiving help from outside.

One Usmania Ibrahim was said to have escaped from the bandits, but unfortunately, three of his children were not that lucky as they were taken away by the bandits.

A resident, Muhammad Ibrahim, told our correspondent that the bandits came through a neighbouring community and started shooting, causing confusion among residents.

He said the police had visited the area and he hoped that they would be able to rescue the victims.

The police have yet to make any official statement on the incident and several calls put across to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Muhammad Jalige, were unanswered.

At another incident in Katsina State, bandits broke into Isa Kaita College of Education in Dutsinma, abducting three children of the Deputy Provost of the institution, Dr Isma’il Ado Funtua.

The incident happened 24 hours after bandits attacked Sabuwar Kasa village in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina state in the early hours of Monday and took away four children of the village head, Alhaji Hamza Umar.

Umar is also the Head of Local Government Administration in Funtua Local Government Council of the state.

Similarly, gunmen abducted a former Zonal Director of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ahmed Abdulkadir and his 15-year-old daughter, Laila, from his residence in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Locals confirmed that the gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed Abdulkadir’s house around 9:00 pm on Monday.

When contacted for confirmation, the Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Isah Gambo, said he would have to confirm details of the incident in Isah Kaita College before making any comment which he never did as at press time.

However, security agencies have rescued the elder brother of the Secretary to the Government of Katsina (SGS), Kabir

Muhammed,

The Chief Press Secretary to the SGS, Abdullahi Yar’adua, said the 78-year old was released after security agencies arrested the parents of the suspected bandits.

In Katsina, a source close to the family of the deputy provost told Daily Trust that four gunmen invaded the campus around 11:30 pm on Monday broke into the residence of the deputy provost where they abducted three of his children and a gateman..

The source added, however, that on their way, the kidnappers released the gateman and went away with the man’s children.

Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Isah Gambo, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.