. Again, terrorists abduct scores of worshippers in Zamfara
John Shiklam in Kaduna and Onuminya Innocent
Two people were reportedly killed while an unspecified number of persons were abducted in an attack by bandits on Anguwan Anguwan Auta, Gonin Gora area in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State.
This is just as gunmen suspected to be terrorists abducted scores of worshippers in Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State.
The bandits in Kaduna were said to have invaded the area last Wednesday night and went to at least 10 houses to kidnap people.
A resident of the area said the bandits, who were in large numbers were shooting sporadically with sophisticated weapons as they went from house to house.
He said two people were killed while several others whose number was yet to be ascertained were kidnapped.
The source added that some youths who attempted to challenge the bandits also sustained injuries.
He said the youths were angry over the persistent bandits’ attacks and decided to stage a protest yesterday to draw the government attention to the security challenges they face.
The angry youths blocked the Kaduna- Abuja highway for many hours before they were dispersed by security personnel led by members of the state security council.
Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the state Police Command did not respond to telephone calls when contacted.
However, in a statement, Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, warned protesters against blockage of public roads and harassing people.
He said following the blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Road in response to reports of a bandit attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, many commuters were denied access through the route.
“The Kaduna State Security Council has warned against blockage of public roads and harassment of innocent citizens by persons conducting protests.
“This follows the blockage of the Gonin Gora axis of the Kaduna-Abuja Road by some protesters on Thursday morning in response to reports of a bandits’ attack in Unguwan Auta of Gonin Gora general area, Chikun LGA, thus denying commuters the access through the route.
“The members of the Security Council, comprising the Commissioner of Police, Audu Ali; Director of Department of State Services, Abdul Adamu Eneche; Garrison Commander, One Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Muhammad Kana, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in the company of security forces, dismantled the road blocks erected and subsequently opened up the road for use for motorists,” the statement said.
Aruwan said: “Members of the Kaduna State Security Council, while interacting with community leaders, expressed dissatisfaction with the menace of blocking roads, a situation which infringes on the rights of citizens and travelers using these roads and other public utilities.
“As of the time of this security update, citizens and motorists are plying the Gonin Gora axis of Kaduna-Abuja Road without obstruction.”
Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be terrorists have abducted scores of worshippers in Tsafe town, headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area in Zamfara State.
In a telephone conversation with THISDAY, a resident simply identified as Garba, said that he was in the mosque when the terrorists stormed it in the early hours of yesterday as people were getting ready to start their morning prayer.
“We were about to start the morning prayer yesterday, suddenly they (bandits) entered into the mosque and directed everybody to go out and follow them.
“Everybody scampered for safety but the bandits blocked everywhere and warned us that they would kill anybody who tried to run away.
“I was able to jump out of the window and ran quickly into one of the uncompleted buildings near the mosque where I hid myself,” he said.
Garba added that the terrorists left their motorcycles far away from the mosque so that the worshippers would not notice their movements.
“They came on foot, leaving their motorcycles outside the town so that they would not attract the attention of the people of the area.
“They later marched the worshippers to their motorcycles and took them to the forest.
“The mosque was filled to capacity when the bandits attacked the place and very few of us were able to escape,” he further said.
A community leader also said that the Community Protection Guards (CPG) pursued the terrorists in order to rescue the kidnapped worshippers.
Tsafe local government is one of the local government areas in the state that could be hit by bandits.
Tsafe-Gusau Road, which is 56 kilometers long, has now become the most dangerous spot people are being kidnapped on daily basis.
Scores of bandits lost their lives few days ago within the local government when two rival groups clashed.
All efforts to get comments from the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP.
Yazid Abubakar, proved abortive, as he could not be reached on phone after several attempt.
