Kidnappers shift operation to Kaduna-Zaria road, open fire on travellers

Kidnappers on Monday morning attacked motorists at Kwanar Tsintsiya axis of Kaduna-Zaria Road in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the location of the attack is about two kilometers away from Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

The Kaduna State Government confirmed the attack on the road, which is rarely attacked by hoodlums and relatively safer, in a statement by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Although no death was reported in the attack so far, DAILY NIGERIAN learnt that many passengers escaped with gunshot injuries.

According to Mr Aruwan, “the military thwarted armed bandits on the Kaduna-Abuja and Kaduna-Zaria Roads in the wee hours of Sunday, 29th November and early hours of Monday, 30th November 2020 respectively.

“At Kwanar Tsintsiya axis of Kaduna-Zaria Road, Igabi local government, troops of 4 Battalion Nigerian Army overpowered the armed bandits that were shooting at motorists plying the route.

“One of the bandits was neutralized while several escaped with bullet wounds. Furthermore, the troops rescued 39 persons traveling to Onitsha from Sokoto from the armed bandits. The troops are still trailing the bandits to areas said to be their enclave.”

Mr Aruwan also said the troops responded to distress calls about bandits attacking and rustling in the same general area.

“On arriving the location, the troops recovered 69 cattle while one of the armed bandits was neutralised. Pictures of the bandits neutralized, rescued citizens and recovered cattle are attached.

“On the Kaduna-Abuja Road, bandits advancing towards the Audu-Jungom axis in Chikun local government on Sunday 29th November 2020 were repelled by troops.

“The bandits were pursued to Ungwan Tuta, from where the troops lost contact with the bandits, they were denied freedom of action as they couldn’t carry out their nefarious act.

“In the early hours of today Monday, 30th November 2020, troops successfully dislodged armed bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja road. However, a stray bullet fired by the criminals hit a driver and passenger.

“Similarly, troops responded to a road accident involving a truck conveying cattle and a commercial vehicle near Alheri Camp on the Kaduna-Abuja Road. Troops evacuated the injured passengers to hospital under the supervision of Federal Road Safety Commission, and sadly one of the passengers died.

“Troops also rescued some passengers kidnapped by bandits on Sunday 29th November 2020 at around 7pm on the Kaduna-Kachia Road in Kachia local government area,” he said.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commended troops for the operations against the criminal bandits. He commiserates with families that lost their loved ones and wishes those that sustained injuries speedy recovery.

“The Kaduna State Government will continue to keep citizens informed of the security situation. Citizens with relevant information should kindly contact the following telephone lines and e-mail address: 09034000060, 08170189999; [email protected]