Bandits on rampage again, kidnap 50 passengers in Niger, abduct 3 students in Katsina

At least, 50 passengers have been reportedly kidnapped by bandits on Tuesday along the Tegina – Minna road in the Rafi Local government Area of Niger State.

According to a source in the area, the bandits blocked the road at Kundu town, a few kilometres from Zungeru town, when the three commercial vehicles carrying passengers including drivers each rammed into their hands.

The passengers in the three vehicles were abducted and taken to an unknown destination while the vehicles were left by the roadside.

In another development, armed bandits abducted unknown numbers of villagers at Gidigori town in Rafi Local Government Area, burning five cars and carting away valuables.

While confirming this incident, a senior government official, on condition of anonymity, said nothing has been heard from the bandits to enable the authorities to know the identities of those kidnapped.

Again, one person was killed while several others were kidnapped when bandits raided Manta town in Shiroro Local Government Area on Monday evening.

The bandits also ransacked the houses of the villagers, stealing foodstuff and other valuables items.

Also on Tuesday, three students were reportedly abducted from Gobirawa village of Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

A resident of Gobirawa, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said students were abducted after closing from the Community Day Secondary School in Gobirawa.

“It is not a boarding school and all of the three abductees are male students and they were abducted this afternoon on their way home after closing from the school,” the source told the publication.

The source also added that there were speculations that the school was closed down by the state government following the incident.

When contacted, the Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, said he would contact the Divisional Police Officer of Safana Local Government Area to ascertain the veracity of the report.