Bandits kill soldier, kidnap don’s wife, children in Zaria

Abduct Kaduna Catholic priest, Zamfara Emir
Armed bandits, Monday night, stormed the Zaria home of a lecturer and killed one of the soldiers trying to rescue his wife, children and other natives from kidnappers.

Also, the home of Kaduna State University (KASU) employee, Dr. Ahmed Buba, was attacked by bandits at Milgoma, near Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika Zaria, and four residents were abducted.

However, the KASU employee, who is younger brother to Ambassador Sule Buba, and his family members were unhurt.

In an effort to rescue the victims from the bandits, a soldier identified as Okechukwu Ebuka was shot dead.

But yesterday morning, the kidnappers were intercepted by troops at Kasuwar Da’a, along Birnin Gwari road.

Sources said the bandits, numbered about 30 and armed with sophisticated weapons, shot sporadically as they attacked the community.

“The Kaduna State Vigilante Service, military and police swiftly responded to a distress call. On sighting the armed security personnel, the bandits engaged them in gun duel. One soldier died at an undisclosed hospital as a result of the gun shot,” the source said.

Meanwhile, a resident told journalists that the six kidnapped children were rescued at Kasuwan Da’a by the combined efforts of security operatives.

He said the bandits left with a housewife, Rabi Isya, and her children – Sulaiman, Amina and Mus’ab.

When contacted, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Army Depot, Zaria, Lt. Joy Abah, said the information had not reached her office.

SIMILARLY, bandits have kidnapped the Parish Priest of St. Matthew Catholic Church, Zangon Kataf Local Council of Kaduna State, Rev. Fr. Luka Yakusak.

The bandits, in their numbers, reportedly invaded the village, from where the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, hails, on Monday night.

It was there the traditional ruler of Ikulu Chiefdom, who is Kukah’s brother, was abducted.

Although there was no official confirmation from either the state government or the police, but the Spokesperson of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Luka Binniyat, confirmed the kidnap.

ALSO, the Emir of Bungudu in Zamfara State, Hassan Attahiru, is reported to be kidnapped in Kaduna.

The first class chief was abducted while travelling along Kaduna–Abuja highway yesterday evening, The Guardian gathered.

Kaduna State Police Public relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Jalige, did not respond to calls, but it was also gathered that a police escort who accompanied the monarch was killed in a shootout with the bandits.

Only the Emir was reportedly abducted in the convoy, while some of his guards sustained injuries during the incident.