Bandits kidnap Katsina 91-year-old monarch, kill three in Kaduna

Bandits have kidnapped a 91-year-old village head of Kunduru, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed, in the Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Gunmen also abducted 13 travellers in the Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

The suspected bandits invaded the monarch’s residence in Kunduru when most of the residents had gone to bed and whisked him away as they headed for the forest.

A leader in the village confirmed the victim as the father of Kashimu Ibrahim, one of the permanent secretaries serving with the Katsina State Government.

One of the monarch’s sons also confirmed the incident to journalists in Katsina on Saturday, saying the hoodlums attacked the village riding on motorcycles.

He said the bandits came Friday night when most residents of the village were asleep and moved straight to the monarch’s residence and abducted him.

He said the monarch had been sick and wondered why they kidnapped a sick old man.

“As we speak, his abductors are yet to contact the family,” the son added.

When contacted, spokesman for the Katsina State Police Command, Superintendent of Police, Gambo Isah, said he was not aware of the incident.

“I am not aware of that incident,” he said.

He explained that the victims were travelling to Funtua from Mai Gora to collect loans from a bank provided through a family support programme.

The police spokesman said three persons later escaped from the bandits.

He added that the police were making efforts to ensure that the abductees were rescued alive.

He said, “What happened was that 13 women from Mai Gora were travelling to Funtua for this family support loan facilities from a bank, somewhere before Dan Rimi village; these bandits came from the bush and shot at the tyres of the vehicle they were traveling in, forcing the driver to stop. Three women escaped while the remaining nine and the driver were abducted.

“We are making serious efforts to ensure that the nine women and the driver who are still in captivity are rescued alive. The incident happened at 10 a.m.”

Another group of bandits reportedly aided by some youths have attacked some communities in the Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, leading to the death of three persons.

A man suspected to have collaborated with the bandits was reportedly lynched by an angry mob on Saturday.

Kaduna State’s Commissioner for Internal Security & Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the killings in a statement, saying the police “are investigating the possible collusion of some youths and the bandits in the communities.”

Aruwan said the attacks started in Ungwan Sha’awa, where the bandits killed one Ubangida Dogo in his home, while his son, Jude, was injured.

The commissioner said that the hoodlums also attacked Ungwan Galadima in the same locality and killed one Bulus Gwamna.

He added that another attack by the bandits in Ungwan Gamu claimed the life of one Daniel Danlami.

The statement read in part, “Security agencies are investigating alleged collaboration with bandits by some locals, during recent disturbing attacks in Kajuru Local Government Area.

“The sequence of reported attacks began in Ungwan Sha’awa in Kajuru local government area, where armed bandits killed one Ubangida Dogo in his home. According to the report, his son, Jude Ubangida was injured by the bandits and is receiving treatment in hospital.

“As the bandits withdrew from the village, they also attacked Ungwan Galadima in the same locality and killed one Bulus Gwamna. In Ungwan Gamu along the same trail, one Daniel Danlami was similarly killed by the marauding bandits.”

Preliminary investigations, Aruwan said, suggested that the bandits conducted the attacks with the aid of some local youths.