Gunmen kidnap 16 in Kebbi

Gunmen have reportedly attacked Bena community and it’s environs in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, kidnapping no fewer than 16 persons.

The Secretary of the Security Committee in Wasagu, Lawali Umar, made this known, revealing that the gunmen ambushed victims working on their guinea corn farms and took them hostage.

Umar while confirming the incident, said the bandits in another attack which took place recently ransacked the Tudun Wada area of Kebbi State, abducting six people.

He added that army officers responding to the attack, engaged the bandits in a gunfight, repelled them and rescued the six individuals.

Umar, however, said that while some of the 16 originally kidnapped persons managed to escape, nine of them are still being held hostage, with the bandits demanding an undisclosed ransom.

Umar has, therefore, made an appeal to the Kebbi State Government to reinforce security in major vulnerable communities, particularly Yar Maitaba, Mai Rai Rai, and Tungar Sabo, which he described as known strongholds for the gunmen.

“We commend the state government’s efforts against banditry, but with the guinea corn harvest season upon us, our farmers need better security,” he appealed.