About 20 travelers were kidnapped by gunmen along Mungi sharp corner Buga Gwari,Gadabuke in Toto local government area of Nasarawa state.
A former education secretary in Nasarawa local government area, Mallam Salihu Ibrahim, who was among the victims, was however killed.
Gadabuke emirate council’s secretary, Abdullahi Baba, who confirmed the incident Tuesday, said the gunmen in their numbers, came out from the bush and attacked the vehicles plying the road and went away with passengers in the commercial vehicles to the bush.
The education secretary who was also travelling alongside his friend in a private vehicle, were also taken away with others, but his dead body was later found in a nearby bush.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nansel Ramhal, confirmed the incident.
Rahmal however said the command was not aware of the kidnapped travelers, even as he said investigation was still on.
“There is no abduction like that there,” he said.
“Yesterday around 1350hrs we received information that a vehicle was abandoned at Buga Gwari in Gadabuke of Toto local government area. We drafted police men to the scene and they recovered a Rover Salon car with registration number NTT 265 AA and two mobile phones were discovered inside the vehicle but the whereabouts of the occupants were not known,” the police spokesman said in a statement.
He added that someone at the scene recognised the vehicle that it belonged to his brother who left Nasarawa for Gadabuke and the vehicle was kept at the station.
“When the CP was informed he now directed the DPO Toto to mobilise his personnel and they should start combing the bushes. He later mobilised OC Anti-kidnapping and Police mobile force, they also mobilised some hunters and vigilantes to also assist them in the search, they now recovered the corpse of one person so investigation is still on,” the PPRO said.
Delta
Also, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped a pastor and three other church members in Ogwashi-Uku community, Aniocha South local government area of Delta state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around comprehensive Secondary School Ogwashi-Uku Monday where three men and a lady, including a pastor, were abducted.
Community source said one of the victims, Chuks Odili, was in the company of a pastor of their church and two other members when they were kidnapped.
The source said: “The information we got was that the pastor and the three other members of the church went to their building site when the Fulani herdsmen abducted them.
“From what we also learnt, a member of thrift which the said Chuks Odili is also a member, contacted the kidnappers. When we dialled Chuks’ phone number to know whether the phone could ring or switched off, the man who answered it has an accent of the Fulani.
“The kidnappers demanded N10, 000,000 to free the victims. So, the man who made the call pleaded with the kidnappers, promising to pay something far lesser as they are poor, the kidnappers angrily switched off the phone and no further contact has been made.”
Similarly, a 60-year-old hunter, Godwin Elumeze was found dead at the Ogwashi-Uku community forest.
It was learnt that the body was recovered from the bush back of Delta state fire service station in Ogwashi-Uku on Monday.
It was said that the victim went for hunting expedition when the Fulani who had been terrorising the forest, killed him and took his gun away.
“The son said his father had gone for his usual hunting in the evening of Sunday but did not return, and was worried all through the night. Then, the following morning, he went in search of his father in the area of the bush he normally goes for hunting.
“It was that process, he ran into the body of his father seated with his face bent forward in between his legs, flies were already buzzing around the remains and came to the town to inform the police,” the source said.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incidents.
PPRO said: “Ogwashi-Uku DPO said, for the hunter, investigation is ongoing. He was actually attacked. For the kidnap, no contact has been made, no information yet. We are waiting for them to contact if it is kidnap.”
Bandits killed
Troops have killed several bandits through air raids over locations in Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun local government areas, ground troops also supported in clearing Sabon Birnin and Dogon Dawa.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna state, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said the offensives were based on credible intelligence.
“Troops under the auspices of Operation Thunder Strike have briefed the Kaduna state government on joint land and air operations conducted at identified bandit locations across Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi and Chikun local government areas.
“According to the operational feedback, Nigeria Air Force platforms conducted armed reconnaissance on Monday over Albasu, Rahama, Sabon Birni, Rikau, Fadama Kanauta, Galadimawa, Kaya, Kidandan, Yadi, Dogon Dawa, Ngede Allah, Damari, Saulawa, Takama, Kuduru, Ungwan Yako, and the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road area.
“Bandits were sighted by the fighter jet crew at Yadi, and the location was robustly engaged, with several bandits neutralized. Also, along the track connecting Kuduru and Ungwan Yako, bandits were sighted with rustled cattle, and were neutralized.
“Other locations covered appeared calm with normal activities, as ground troops conducted clearance operations in Sabon Birni and Dogon Dawa.
“Governor Nasir el-Rufai expressed satisfaction at the success of the ongoing operations and commended the armed forces for sustaining the offensives on identified bandit enclaves obtained via credible intelligence. He encouraged citizens to cooperate with the security forces by volunteering information on suspicious activities and hideouts, for decisive action towards vanquishing the criminals.
“The Government of Kaduna state mourns with the families that lost their loved ones on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, and prays for the repose of their souls, while wishing a speedy recovery to those receiving medical attention.
Aruwan said despite the challenges, the state government would continue to engage elected representatives of the frontline locations, comprising senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other critical stakeholders to share details and foster collaborations for peace and security.
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