Gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly kidnapped a ward chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State.
This is happening a few days before the 2023 general elections. Reports obtained by Naija News said that the assailants stormed the Giwa Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night and kidnapped Alhaji Bala Alhassan Marafa, from his residence.
Marafa is the PDP chairman for Dan Mahawayi Ward. A resident who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Tuesday said the gunmen also abducted a community leader, Suleiman Isiyaku Mai Siga.
“We all assumed they (the gunmen) were part of the campaign trail that toured the area because it was when the two kidnapped victims returned from the campaign that they were immediately picked them. This is the first time anybody would be abducted in the Dan Mahawayi community,” the eyewitness told reporters.
According to him, residents had observed the bandits patronizing tea joints in the village but were carefree as they never unleashed mayhem on the community until that Sunday night.
Naija News understands that the PDP chairman of Giwa LGA and the Kaduna state Police Command is yet to make any official statement on the incident as of reporting time.
Bandits Gun Down DPO, Four Other Policemen In Niger
A week ago, some bandits gunned down a Divisional Police Officer, Mukhtar Sabiu, and four other Policemen in Paiko, headquarters of Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State, Naija News reports.
A resident of the area, Musa Idris, who narrowly escaped, told reporters that the victims were shot dead along Kwakuti village, Minna-Suleja road.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, said the DPO and his men were killed during a gun battle with the bandits.
He further stated that another set of bandits had tried to attack Chibani Market in Munyan Local Government Area around Lambata and was killed by local vigilantes while some escaped with bullet injuries.
Abiodun further stated that the bodies of the deceased officer had been recovered.
He said: “Similarly, on Saturday, at about 11 am, information was received that bandits were sighted around the Kwakuti-Dajigbe area of Lambata, in an attempt to attack some communities around the Gurara LGA.
“Combined teams of police from Gawu-Babangida Div and Paiko Div, military, and vigilante members were drafted to the scene, the bandits were engaged in a gun duel and repelled with scores of them being neutralised, while others escaped with bullet injuries.
“Regrettably, the DPO, Paiko, SP Mukhtar Sabiu, and four other policemen from both divisions lost their lives during the gun duel”
