Security operatives are on the trail of bandits who kidnapped eight students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna state and five others along Kaduna – Abuja highway last Sunday, the state government has said.
According to Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, the security operatives are also in hot pursuit of bandits that attacked Albasu village in Igabi Local Government Areas (LGA) . and Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru LGA.
Armed bandits attacked Albasu village in Igabi on Monday killing not less than 10 villagers, while gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had on Sunday night killed one person and abducted two people at Maraban Kajuru.
Speaking in a statement Monday night, Aruwan said, “The government has received feedback from a citizen who listed five relations as being kidnapped, details of which have been submitted for immediate security action.
“The Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Kabir Bala has informed the government that eight students of the institution were among those kidnapped on Sunday afternoon on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
“Security operatives are presently pursuing bandits in some locations in Igabi and Kajuru local government areas of Kaduna Central Senatorial District. The development follows a bandit attack at Albasu village of Igabi and Sunday night attack at Maraban Kajuru in the two councils.
“On Monday armed bandits attacked Albasu Village located south wards of Malum forest in Sabon Birni general area and subsequently killed some locals, while on Sunday night at Maraban Kajuru, armed bandits kidnapped two persons and killed one person while escaping into a nearby forest.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has sent condolences to the families and prayed for the repose of their souls,” Aruwan said.
Speaking further, Aruwan averred that contrary to speculations, the military and other security operatives have not abandoned the Kaduna – Abuja highway.
He said the security personnel make huge sacrifices on the highway, with several paying the supreme price while patrolling the route.
“There is indeed presence of troops at strategic locations on the route, comprising Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS), a response of the Defence Headquarters with both ground and air components, having operational headquarters (with a functional helipad) at Kateri town.
“There is also a team from the Inspector General of Police (Operation Puff Adder) with two outfits (Special Tactical Squad and Intelligence Response Team) complementing operations with technical support.
“Troops on patrol around Chikun and Kajuru LGAs boundaries found the corpse of an armed bandit who died of gun wounds. An AK/47 rifle and other valuables were found beside the decayed corpse,” he said.