Updated: Traditional ruler, lawmaker’s wife, two children kidnapped

Bandits have abducted a traditional ruler in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Wawa of Wawa, Dr Mahmud Ahmed Aliyu, from his palace.
Another gang of bandits attacked a Katsina community on Saturday night abducting wife and two children of a lawmaker, Ibrahim Aminu Kurami, from their home at Kurami, Katsina State.
The traditional ruler was reportedly kidnapped at about 9.30pm on Saturday night.
He was said to have been whisked away amidst shooting by the gunmen dressed in military uniforms into the Kainji National Park.
It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the palace riding on motorcycles while shooting to scare away people.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, could not be reached for confirmation before filing this report.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Bakori constituency in Katsina House of Assembly was himself abducted about a year ago and kept for days until he paid ransom.
The bandits reportedly invaded the town at 8pm driving on motorbikes and cars blocking the Funtua-Katsina road while the abduction of the Kurami family went on at his home, a source said.
“Immediately after Ishaa’i prayers, we started hearing gunshots in the town, before we know it they already positioned themselves in the strategic places of the town to avert any possible move by the residents to engage them,” Muhammad Kurami.
He added, “They went straight to the to the home of the honourable member and made away with his wife and two children.”
He said that in the course of the abduction, the bandits wounded one Abdulhakim Ubaidu.
It was also learnt that residents and vigilantes in the area launched a pursuit after the incident.
About a year ago before his election in a bye-election as a member representing Bakori, Kurami himself was abducted from his residence and kept in captivity for days until a ransom was paid to secure his release.
Last week on the night of August 28, suspected bandits invaded Bakori town and abducted one Alhaji Amu and his two daughters as well as younger brother of District Head Bakori, Idris Sule Idris.
Bakori, Funtua and Danja council areas are fast becoming vulnerable to bandit attacks in recent months.
Banditry has over the years destabilized the neighbouring Faskari, Kankara, Sabuwa and Dandume causing mass exodus of residents from their ancestral villages and hamlets.