Niger: 3 Kidnappers Killed As Bandits Abduct Electoral Commission Member, Ex-Education Boss, Others

Bandits have abducted a commissioner of Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Ahmed Mohammed, former chairman of the State Universal Education Board (NSUBEB). Alhaji Bawa Niworo and scores of passengers.

It was learnt that fleeing bandits from Kwara State stopped vehicles on the Mokwa-New Bussa Road in the state’s Ibbi Mashegu local government area.

LEADERSHIP gathered that among those abducted were the commissioner 7 of NSIEC, Ahmed Mohammed and Alhaji Bawa Niworo, former chairman of NSUBEB, who were in their separate cars during the bandits’ ambush.

It was gathered that scores of the passengers were abducted from many vehicles and taken through the forest near Ibbi late on Monday.

The state police command spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed to LEADERSHIP that suspected armed men attacked the police nipping point along Ibbi-Bussa Road, the police tactical team engaged and repelled the hoodlums, and in the process, the police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots, while one of the policemen sustained gunshot injury and he was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

“Unfortunately, the fleeing armed men later blocked the road ahead of the police nipping point and abducted some passengers along the road from about three vehicles”, he added.

He stated that the Police Command has mobilised more tactical teams with other security agencies, and vigilante members trailing the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims and possible arrest of the hoodlums.

Meanwhile, in another development, the PPRO said that, in continuation of the Police Command’s clearance operations in some identified suspected kidnappers’ hideouts and based on intelligence received, the Command’s Special Task Team (STT), with vigilante members, carried out a clearance operation within Kokolo forest via Kawo-Auna village in the Magama local government area.

He said, “During this operation, the team stormed the forest, encountered the hoodlums and engaged them in a gun battle. Fortunately, three among the suspected kidnappers were neutralised and others escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries, while a victim was rescued”.