At least five staff of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Zaria and two other persons have been kidnapped by bandits in the early hours of Sunday.
Eyewitnesses told the Nigerian Tribune that the bandits who came in large numbers stormed the quarters around 12.30 am.
According to sources, they stormed the staff quarters in a commando-style and cordoned the area.
“Though there were no gunshots, they cordoned the whole area apparently to avoid any person from escaping and possible reinforcement from outside.
“The bandits succeeded in taking away five staff of the centre and two others, including nursing mothers,” he declared.
According to sources, the bandits must have targeted the principal of the centre because he used to work on Saturday till late.
He disclosed the principal’s residence was badly damaged although he was not around during the attack.
Meanwhile, the Saye Divisional Police headquarters which is in the same vicinity with the centre was attacked by the suspected bandits.
It was gathered that the bandits damaged the division’s operational Hilux van as more than 10 bullet holes were seen on the vehicle.
The attack on the Police Division, it was gathered, was aimed at stopping the police from rescuing the victims at the staff quarters.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, ASP Muhammad Jalige confirmed the incident.
He said investigation was already ongoing over the incident. It was gathered that the bandits who stormed the area from a nearby forest engaged policemen in a gun battle before they escaped with their victims.
The area, which is known as Saye district on the outskirts of Zaria, is close to the notorious Sabon Birni, Galadima and Malu forests where bandits hold their victims hostage. The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state, Samuel Aruwan, said troops have intensified efforts to rescue the victims.
Meanwhile, bandits have killed seven persons in fresh attacks in the last 72 hours in three local government areas of Kaduna State. The attacks were carried out in Chikun, Kajuru and Giwa local government areas.
This was contained in a statement issued by the commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state on Sunday.
The statement disclosed that the killings were reported to the state government by security agencies on Saturday. According to the agencies, bandits shot four kidnapped citizens on the outskirts of Tsohon Gayan general area of Chikun Local Government Area.
“Two were identified as Solomon Bamaiyi and Francis Moses from Kakau village in the same LGA. The third was identified as being from Kachia town and the fourth remains unidentified.”
The statement revealed that in Iri station in Kajuru Local Government Area, two persons, Reuben Tanko and Sani Jibrin, were also shot dead by a group of bandits.
“One Danjuma Alhaji, a native of Tsohon Farakwai of Igabi LGA was similarly killed by bandits on the outskirts of Galadima general area of Giwa LGA.”
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Lagos Is Second Least Liveable City In The World For 2021
Lagos is the second least liveable city in the world for the year 2021. This is according to the most recent annual ranking put together by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)…
CLAIM 1: A Twitter user claims UNICEF said any efforts to block children from accessing pornography might infringe their human rights.
VERDICT: MISLEADING!
and then