Bandits Abduct 2 Policemen, 28 Others In Taraba, Sokoto

Suspected bandits have abducted two policemen, a pregnant woman, a second class traditional ruler, his family members and other villagers at Pupule village of Yoro local government area of Taraba State.

A total of 22 people were reportedly abducted in the village.

In Sokoto State, bandits also struck, killing a resident and abducting six people.

This brings to 28 the number of victims kidnapped in the two states.

In the Taraba incident, one of the villagers, Mr. Tundu Ibahem, told LEADERSHIP that the bandits invaded the community yesterday at about 2am on motorcycles and armed with guns.

They allegedly shot sporadically and forcefully took their victims from their residences to unknown destinations.

He said the second class chief of the area, Alhaji Umaru Abubakar, was abducted at gunpoint alongside his son while the pregnant woman was also abducted along with some of her family members.

Ibahem said no contact had been established with the abductors since the incident occurred.

He said, “The people of Pupule were still in their beds when the gunmen invaded the area on motorcycles; they were over 20 in number and were armed with sophisticated weapons; they were shooting sporadically and forcing people to climb their motorcycles; everybody was afraid of being killed, therefore, there was no resistance.”

The state police command confirmed the incident through a sergeant who was on duty and 16 others were kidnapped in Pupule community.

He said the police command had deployed operatives of the Police Strike Force and Anti-kidnapping Squad in the area to rescue the victims and arrest the criminals for prosecution.

In Sokoto State, gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Tursa village in Rabah local government area. It was learnt that one person was killed while six others were abducted and whisked away by the invaders.

When contacted, Sokoto State Police Command’s PPRO, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the attack on Tursa village, and abduction of the villagers.

ASP Ahmad Rufa’i further explained that the assailants entered the village, set a room ablaze and claimed the life of one person.

“Two motorcycles were also burnt during the attack, and six individuals were abducted, with an undisclosed number of cows rustled,” he added.

The spokesman said the state commissioner of police, Ali Kaigama, has ordered a manhunt for the suspected criminals.