Top Niger Monarch Abducted by Suspected Gunmen

By Laleye Dipo

Four suspected kidnappers, including a woman, have abducted the District Head of Wawa in Borgu Emirate of Niger State, Alhaji Mahmud Ahmed Aliyu.

The kidnappers, THISDAY also gathered, were dressed in military uniform.

According to sources at the district head palace, the kidnappers rode on motorcycles and were wielding sub machine guns.

They all, according to the source, covered their faces with black scarf.

THISDAY learnt that immediately the gunmen arrived at the palace, they went straight to the main sitting room where the district head and four of his close aides were seated discussing.

Aliyu and the four others, according to the source, had just finished watching the NTA network news and were discussing when the gunmen entered the palace.

One of the gunmen reportedly asked who was the district head among the five men, but there was no answer from any of them.

It was learnt that one of the masked men moved closer and identified the traditional ruler, who then said: “I am the district head,” after which he was invited for a talk outside the sitting room

According to THISDAY findings, Alhaji Aliyu was then handcuffed and put on a motorcycle by the bandits and taken away.

One of the kidnappers was said to have returned to the sitting room to collect the monarch’s telephone.

“We followed them for some time before we missed them (kidnappers),” the source said, but added that: “We know the way they followed.”

Investigation has now shown that there was no sporadic shooting when the gunmen stormed the palace, but it was learnt that a pre-wedding party was being planned that night, however, only children had arrived at the frontage of the palace for the party when the incident occurred.

The traditional ruler was abducted on Saturday night and taken into captivity.

His abductors have not made any contact with the palace or the family.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, when contacted yesterday, confirmed the incident

Abiodun said the police special tactical team had been sent on the trail of the kidnappers, assuring the state that they will be apprehended shortly.