Hoodlums set driver, vehicle abalze in Katsina

Hoodlums suspected to be terrorists on Thursday afternoon set a driver ablaze with his commercial vehicle in Katsina State.

The incident occurred when the driver was ferrying more than a half-dozen women from Nahuta village to a weekly market in Batsari town, Batsari Local Government Area.

According to reports, the commercial driver had left the garage where he had picked up the women and was on the trip for 30 minutes before he was accosted by a group of hoodlums riding on motorcycles.

The hoodlums were said to have ordered him to stop but the vehicle deliverer refused and sped off, prompting the hoodlums to pursue and overtake his vehicle.

It was learnt the hoodlums, after successfully stopping the vehicle, ordered all the women to disembark, but forced the driver to stay inside the vehicle.

They were said to have then poured gasoline on the vehicle and set it ablaze, with the driver still inside.

The women were however moved to unknown destinations, ostensibly being held captive for ransom purposes.

It was gathered that the road was without security operatives.

Batsari is among several council areas in the state affected by insecurity, including bandit attacks, kidnappings, and rustlings, with attendant loss of lives, and injuries.

As at press time, spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, has not responded to enquiries on the matter.