Suspected bandits reportedly kidnapped 18 police officers on Friday, along the Birnin Gwari-Funtua road in Kaduna State.
Their abduction was confirmed by the Chairman of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Barrister Salisu Haruna in a statement on Sunday, wherein be said the policemen were on travelling from Minna, the Niger State capital to Kano State when they were attacked.
According to the Emirate, “the whereabouts of 18 Police Officers attacked along Birnin Gwari Funtua road on Friday 15 January 2021 is unascertained.”
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The Emirate further explained that the security operatives were on surveillance along the Birnin Gwari Funtua road, when they were attacked.
Number of casualties are yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
The statement also suggested that some of the policemen may have been killed while others are still missing.
According to an eyewitness, two of the police officers have contacted their families members to report the attack, while stating that they could not ascertain their location.
The Emirate also stated that “similarly, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) reports that on Thursday an unconfirmed number of bandits have ransacked Damari village in Dogon Dawa constituency of Birnin Gwari local government area.
”The bandits who came on several bikes were said to have carted away heavy food items and stole many motorcycles. They did not kill anyone. They spent three hours in Damari village without any confrontation by the security.”
The Emirate appealed to the Kaduna state government to face the insecurity Birnin Gwari squarely until victory is ascertained.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, was yet to comment on the issue as at press time.
