Commotion as protesters block Abuja-Kaduna highway over frequent abductions

There was commotion Monday morning on Abuja-Kaduna highway as some youths from Gauraka community in the Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State blocked prevented movement of traffic on the highway as they he road to protest a series of abductions in the community.
The protesters burnt used tyres on the road and prevented movement of traffic on the highway.
The protesters said they were angry about the frequent abduction of residents by gunmen.
According to them, about 30 persons from the community are still in kidnappers’ den, and that their abductors are demanding a huge ransom.
The protesters said they embarked on the action to call the attention of the relevant authorities to their plight after gunmen invaded the community early Monday morning and abducted 15 persons.
A member of the community, Hassan Hassan, said during the protest that the gunmen invaded the community around 1.17am and abducted 15 persons.
He said they decided to protest to ask the government to come to their rescue.
He said, “At exactly 1.17am in the morning, I heard a gunshot. I had to quickly close my windows because they were opened. I told my people at home to be calm,” he said.
“I went to my toilet to see what was happening. I saw that the gunmen were taking my neighbour with his two children. One is 10 years old and the second is eight years old.
“They operated till around 1:51am. Around 2.15am, the army came to our rescue. Some of us came out to see those who were kidnapped. We discovered that they have kidnapped about 15 persons and cut the two hands and ear of one woman who was carrying a baby.
“This is not the first time. This is not the second time. We just want to know if we are safe in this country and Nigeria.”
Another member of the community said last Thursday the gunmen kidnapped four persons from the area and that they were demanding a N10m ransom.
He said when the community informed a nearby police station about the incident and were told that there were no vehicles and ammunition to confront the attackers.