Some armed bandits have kidnapped an unspecified number of people in Kuriga region, near Udawa, along Kaduna state’s Birnin-Gwari highway on Tuesday, May 31.
The bandits blocked the roadway, and burnt eight vehicles in which the students were travelling to write exams for the School of Health in Makarfi scheduled to take place at the Kaduna State University, according to reports.
The bandits have laid siege on three different spots on the route, forcing motorists to make u-turns, according to the Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), in a statement released by their Public Relations Officer (PRO), Idris Saidu.
“Those who were not lucky fell into the trap set by the bandits and were subsequently abducted,” the PRO said.
“Scores of travellers and students who were to write examinations for admission into school of Health, Makarfi affiliated to the Kaduna State university were also abducted.
“One of our officials, Abubakar Haruna Babajo, escaped,” he added.
Saidu also advised intending travellers to either suspend their journey or use other possible alternative routes as large number of bandits are currently stationed on the road at about three different locations, Channels TV reports.
The Chairman of Birnin Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance, Ibrahim Nagwari, while confirming the attack, said the terrorists, on Tuesday, May 31, blocked the Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highway, and intercepted a convoy of motorists with security escorts between Kuriga and Manini, near Udawa where they left with an unspecified number of people into the bush.
Nagwari also expressed concerns that the bandits had established an alliance with the Ansaru terrorist group in order to wage war on the population of Birnin-Gwari, emphasizing that the government’s political commitment to address security challenges has remained a mirage.
“We had always appreciated efforts of security personnel in their passion to curtail the security challenges bedevilling the Birnin-Gwari area, however, we urge the security operatives in this region to come to our aid,” Nagwari said.
“This organisation hereby advises all our citizens to exercise maximum restraint, and obey all rules of the land and seclude themselves in prayers for Allah’s intervention to deal with these terrorists and their collaborators within our communities.
“Equally, we pray for the safe return of our people, mostly women and children that were abducted,” he added.