UBEC chairman, daughter abducted in Kaduna-Abuja road

Chidi Samuel|

Kidnappers on Monday struck again on the now dreaded Kaduna- Abuja expressway as the board chairman of Kaduna state Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and his daughter was kidnapped by some armed bandits.

Mahmood and his daughter was abducted alongside dozens of travellers while travelling to the federal capital territory (FCT) from Kaduna.

His driver was shot dead in the attack when the bandits opened fire on the Jeep conveying them to Abuja.

Yakubu Sabo, spokesman of the Kaduna state police command while confirming the incident in a statement, said the command received information at about 3:30pm on Monday that the chairman and his daughter were kidnapped.

The statement read, “We received information through DPO Katari that armed men in military uniform intercepted a Land Cruiser Jeep with Reg. No 07E o4 FG and Toyota Sienna with Reg. No SLJ 465 TN at Kurmin Kare Village along Kaduna – Abuja Express Way, and opened fire on the vehicles”.

“In the process, the driver of the jeep was shot dead while the occupants, Dr. Muhammad Abubakar who is the chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and his daughter were kidnapped.

“The occupants of the sienna; one Alowonle Olalere and Onuka Victor both of Ibadan Oyo State were injured and rescued to Katari Police Station.

“They were said to be returning from Kano where they went to shoot a film titled ‘the last step’.

“Combined Teams of PMF Men, Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command, Special Forces and Operations Yaki were quickly mobilized to the area with a view to combing the bush for possible rescue of the victims and arresting the criminals.

“IGP’s IRT was also contacted for technical support in tracking the hoodlums. At the moment, the two vehicles were recovered to station.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdur-Rahman, appeals to members of the public to support the Police with relevant information that could assist in apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous act. He said the command will not be deterred in its efforts to bring crime to the barest minimum in the State. He said the hoodlums are only testing our collective will and we cannot relent.”