The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
- Kidnap passengers, ABU students on Abuja-Kaduna highway
Former Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo narrowly escaped being kidnapped by armed bandits along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Kaduna State.
Besides, the kidnappers killed three persons and abducted several passengers on the highway near Olam Farm.
A statement issued by his aide yesterday disclosed that Dankwanbo’s escape occurred on Tuesday when the former governor’s convoy ran into the abductors on their way to Abuja, saying the incident was recorded on a video clip.
“On our way to Abuja kidnappers blocked the Abuja-Kaduna road at 4.35pm, but our policemen chased them away and we found out that they abducted many people.
“The Kaduna-Abuja road is now a danger zone. Today, kidnappers blocked the road and were abducting passengers when Dankwambo’s convoy arrived the scene. His security details fired shots and dispersed them, but they went away with many persons,” the statement reads.
However, three persons were killed during the operation.
A commercial vehicle driver, Jibrin Adamu, who escaped the attack, told journalists that the gunmen blocked a spot around Olam Farm, where they killed three persons and kidnapped about a dozen others.
“The gunmen blocked the expressway and opened fire on vehicles driving by. They kidnapped dozens of people during the operation and took them into the bush.
“I saw three dead bodies on the road and six vehicles of victims parked on the roadside with their doors open. They later left the operation area after about 30 minutes when a military team chased them away.
“I was among the drivers that narrowly escape the attack while driving with my passengers from Abuja to Kaduna,” Adamu added.
Another driver who witnessed the incident, Danladi Sani, said, “I narrowly escaped the bandit’s attack near Olam Farm because my car was behind one of the vehicles damaged by their gunshots, as they shot sporadically at vehicles that ran into their roadblock.”
When contacted, Kaduna state Police Command spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo, promised to inquire from the divisional police officer (DPO) in the area and revert to journalists.
Meanwhile, management of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, confirmed that three students of the institution were kidnapped, saying it was making an effort to secure their release.
The students were among the victims that were kidnapped along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
Director, Public Affairs Directorate, ABU, Dr. Ismai’l Shehu, said that armed bandits kidnapped three final year students of the Faculty of Law.