Gunmen abduct 8 persons in Katsina, demands ₦60million ransom

Unknown gunmen have abducted eight persons in the Katsina state capital on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred at about 4:00 am at Unguwan Shola, a community directly behind the former Federal Medical Centre (FMC), which was recently converted into a Teaching Hospital.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen abducted seven males and one female but the police said that six people were abducted by the terrorists.

While no life was lost, it was gathered that some residents sustained injures while fleeing from the gunmen.

Sources said the gunmen, who came in their numbers, rode on motorcycles and were armed with sophisticated weapons.

“The went from house to house, demanding for money, phones, food items and other valuables,” one of the sources said.

“They went away with seven men and a woman, and operated for several minutes without hindrance.”

He lamented that efforts by some of the residents to contact security operatives to come to their rescue proved abortive.

He, however, called on the state government and the police to beef up security in the area.

One of the family members of abducted victims, said the terrorists have called demanding for ₦60 million ransom payment.

The family member, who asked not to be named, said the terrorists called some minutes before noon on Tuesday, asking that they pay ₦7.5 million for each of the victims.

He said the families of the victims have met and discussed about the development, but did not disclose if they had decided to pay or negotiate the demanded ransom.

Spokesperson for the police command in the state, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement, confirmed the incident but said only six people were abducted.

“The Commissioner of Police, KTS police command, has deployed anti-kidnapping unit in addition to other operational asset of the command to the area,” Isah said.

“He gave them a marching order and restated that the command will not rest on its oars until the victims are rescued alive and unhurt. Investigation is ongoing.

“Those abducted are Tanimu Adamu, Abdullahi Isiya, Isiya Rabiu, Ibrahim Adamu, Mannir Jayi, and a woman – name not yet disclosed.

“The fifth person Mannir Jayi, escaped from the abductors and is helping the police in our investigations.”