Again, bandits kidnap 23 in Kaduna •Soldiers kill three bandits in Zamfara

BANDITS operating in Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, on Friday, kidnapped travellers who included a nursing mother.

While an eyewitness put the number of the abducted victims at 23, the police said only one person was kidnapped.

Speaking to PRNigeria, a commercial driver, Mohamed Kebi, who claimed to have escaped from the scene of the kidnapping, said five vehicles were intercepted during the abduction.

“About five vehicles were intercepted by kidnappers along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Road around 11.00 this morning. At least 23 people were kidnapped, including a nursing mother and one kid.

“The incident occurred at Kwanar-tsauni, between Udawa and Labi.

“Although there is improved security along Funtua route which many commercial vehicles ply, we want the government to also provide maximum security to other routes that are haven of kidnappers,” he added.

When contacted the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Austin Iwar, said only one person was kidnapped, one person killed and another person injured in the latest onslaught.

He warned the general public against giving out information without verifying the actual number of casualties.

According to him, people should stop exaggerating the figure so as not to create fear in the minds of travellers plying the road.

In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army from the 223 Battalion tagged Operation Idon Raini, on Wednesday, engaged bandits in an exchange of gunfire while raiding their camps in Zamfara State.

This was contained in a statement, in Sokoto, by the Army Public Relations Officer, Brigadier General Texas Chukwu.

The troops raided the camp of the bandits located in Danguru Babandoka forest in Dansadau district of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State where three of the bandits were killed during the encounter and their camp destroyed.

The troops also embarked on a raid in Gobirawa and Kwacha around Madaka forest, in Dansadau village in Maru Local Government of Zamfara State.

Two of the bandits, according to the statement, were also neutralised during the encounter, while the remaining others fled the scene as a result of superior firepower from the troops.

Items recovered include a mobile phone and one motorcycle.

Chukwu advised the people of the state to always report any suspicious activities or movements within their areas to law enforcement agencies promptly.