Gunmen Kill 1, Kidnap 2 Monarchs In Bauchi

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed one person and kidnapped four others in Ningi local government area of Bauchi State.

LEADERSHIP gathered that among the victims were two village heads, Balma and Mai Anguwan Bakutunbe communities.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the two villages in two separate incidents that occurred within a few hours interval between Saturday and Sunday.

A resident of Balma town who pleaded anonymity revealed that the heavily armed men stormed their community shooting sporadically at about 1100hrs on Sunday, forcing residents to scamper for safety.

He said that the armed men went directly to the village head’s house and went away with him.

He said the gunmen also killed one Alhaji Haruna Dan OC who was certified dead by a medical doctor at Ningi General Hospital.

Similarly, the gunmen stormed and kidnapped the village head of Bakutunbe community,  Idris Mai Unguwa and another man named Ya’u Gandu Maliya. The kidnappers have already asked for the sum of N8million each as a ransom.

In a related development, two men from Ware-Ware and Yelwa communities were kidnapped at the same Ningi local government.

When contacted, the acting chairman of Ningi local government, Hon Ibrahim Zubairu, confirmed the incident.

The Bauchi State Police Command also confirmed the incidents through its spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil.

Meanwhile, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku in Kauru local government area of Kaduna State, Rev Fr Jeremiah Yakubu, who was kidnapped by bandits on Sunday, has been released.

The chancellor of Kafanchan Diocese, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Uchechukwu Okolo, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna last night.

“With hearts filled with joy, we raise our voices in a symphony of praises as we

announce the return of our brother, Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Yakubu, who was abducted by armed persons from the Rectory at Holy Trinity Parish, Karku, in Kauru Local

Government Area, Kaduna State, at the late hours of Sunday June 11, 2023.

“Fr. Jerry was released this evening, 12” June, 2023. We want to thank all those who have offered prayers and entreaties for the quick release of our Priest and others who are still in the dens of their kidnappers.

“We pray God to hasten the release of those who are still in the hands of their captors”.

“All our Priests are directed to kindly celebrate Mass of Thanksgiving to God tomorrow, 13 June, 2023 for the quick release of Fr. Jerry Yakubu”.