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| File Photo: Kidnappers in a movie shot |
At least 100 people have been kidnapped along a road in northern
Nigeria in the past few days, officials, witnesses and relatives of the
abducted told Reuters on Tuesday, underscoring the insecurity still
afflicting parts of the country.
Nigeria in the past few days, officials, witnesses and relatives of the
abducted told Reuters on Tuesday, underscoring the insecurity still
afflicting parts of the country.
“Over
120 people were kidnapped between Friday and today, Tuesday along the
Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road,” said Surajo Usman, of Nigeria’s National
Union of Road Transport Workers, who escaped an abduction himself.
120 people were kidnapped between Friday and today, Tuesday along the
Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road,” said Surajo Usman, of Nigeria’s National
Union of Road Transport Workers, who escaped an abduction himself.
Birnin
Gwari, in the northern state of Kaduna, is infamous for its
lawlessness, and thick forests provide bandits with hideouts from
security forces. Earlier this month, at least 45 people died in an
attack on a village in the region.
Gwari, in the northern state of Kaduna, is infamous for its
lawlessness, and thick forests provide bandits with hideouts from
security forces. Earlier this month, at least 45 people died in an
attack on a village in the region.
Those bandits have for years
frustrated authorities’ attempts to apprehend them. In some cases they
have amassed thousands of stolen cattle and fought off security agents
sent to deal with them.
frustrated authorities’ attempts to apprehend them. In some cases they
have amassed thousands of stolen cattle and fought off security agents
sent to deal with them.
Yahaya Hussaini, who works for a civil society group, said his organisation’s motorcade was waylaid.
“On
Sunday, in our entourage alone four vehicles were blocked by the
kidnappers in military fatigue,” he said, adding that eight of them
carried assault rifles.
Sunday, in our entourage alone four vehicles were blocked by the
kidnappers in military fatigue,” he said, adding that eight of them
carried assault rifles.
“They kidnapped about 48 people,” said
Hussaini. “Many of those vehicles attacked are still left on the road
and the luggage of victims still litters it.”
Hussaini. “Many of those vehicles attacked are still left on the road
and the luggage of victims still litters it.”
Ibrahim Aliyu’s
daughter was one of those abducted by kidnappers seeking the equivalent
of $16,000. “They have contacted me with a 5 million naira ransom
demand,” he said. “Where do I get that kind of money that I have never
seen in my life?”
daughter was one of those abducted by kidnappers seeking the equivalent
of $16,000. “They have contacted me with a 5 million naira ransom
demand,” he said. “Where do I get that kind of money that I have never
seen in my life?”
Kaduna state’s commissioner of police, Austin
Iwar, told Reuters he would have been informed if there had been reports
of such attacks, adding that he would investigate.
Iwar, told Reuters he would have been informed if there had been reports
of such attacks, adding that he would investigate.
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