*Abduct Emir, college provost, 13 others in Kaduna, Zamfara
*Shehu Sani laments abductions
By Williams Orji
The hope of some parents of the abducted schoolgirls from the Federal Girls’ College Yawuri, Kebbi State seems to have been dashed following reports that the bandits had informed the parents that their daughters had been married off.
Some of the parents, who raised the alarm on Sunday, told a national paper that the abductors sent to them footages showing that their daughters were already married.
Recall that bandits on June 16 invaded the school premises and whisked scores of students to an unknown destination. A police officer was also killed during the incident.
Meanwhile, one of the parents who spoke with BBC Hausa said the kidnappers always inform them that their daughters are doing well.
He added that “sometimes they call and give us our daughters to talk to us. If your child has your number then they will call and talk to you.
“But I have never spoken with my daughter since the time they were abducted.”
Meanwhile, armed bandits in an early morning raid in Kaduna abducted the Emir of Kajuru and 13 members of his family at his palace in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The grandson of the emir and traditional title holder of Dan Kajuru, Saidu Musa, also confirmed the abduction to an online medium.
He said the incident happened around 12:30 am.
This is the latest in a series of attacks across Kaduna State.
Although bandits have been subjecting Kaduna residents to torture, the last few weeks have been very tough.
Recall that bandits have in the recent time, in Kaduna and its environs, intensified their illicit activities by killing and kidnapping innocent people for ransom in the State.
The 2nd class Emir, about 85 years old was kidnapped with three women, two of his grandchildren, three of his aides and five others to an unknown destination.
According to the source, “Just a day before the incident, the Emir summoned a security meeting about a potential ploy to kidnap him but, unfortunately, the security agents didn’t act on it.”
The Kajuru Emirate is about 40 minutes’ drive to Kaduna town.
Gunmen abduct college provost in Zamfara
Also in Zamfara, armed men suspected to be bandits have abducted the provost of the College of Arts and Animal Science Bakura, Habibu Mainasara.
It was gathered that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when the assailants invaded his official residence within Government Science Secondary School, Bakura.
The incident, which has sparked tension in the area, comes barely two days after the bandits raided some communities in Maradun Local Government Area of the state, killing at least 42 persons.
According to Daily Post, when contacted on phone, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, said he would call back to comment on the incident.
Shehu Sani laments abductions in Kaduna
Meanwhile, Shehu Sani, a former member of the Senate, has lamented the incessant attacks and abductions being perpetrated by bandits in Kaduna State.
The former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th assembly, was reacting to the abduction of the Emir of Kajuru, Alhaji Alhassan Adamu, and 12 members of his family.
Confirming the abduction of his Royal Highness, his grandson, Dan Kajuru, Saidu Musa, said “gunmen stormed the palace around 12.30am and took his Royal Highness and twelve members of his family.”
And reacting to the sad news, Sani tweeted, “Emir of Kajuru, 30 minutes’ drive from Kaduna and twelve of his family members were forcefully kidnapped yesternight.
“The Bandits operated freely for one hour in my Kaduna State. Nowadays, it is no more about who is safe but who the next victim is.”
Kaduna Speaker condemns abduction of Kajuru Emir, 12 others
The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani has reacted to the abduction of Emir of Kajuru, Adamu Kajuru and 12 others
Zalani described the early Sunday morning abduction of the Emir of Kajuru as a joke taken too far.
In a statement on Sunday by his Senior Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, the Speaker said “The news of the abduction of the Emir of Kajuru, Adamu Kajuru, and 12 persons said to be members of his family is a joke taken too far and stands condemnable.
“Traditional leaders play a key role in ensuring peaceful coexistence and stability of our society, hence the abductors are out to destabilise our society.”
Zailani said that in view of his important role in the society, security personnel should track the abductors and ensure that all hostages were freed unharmed.
“I appeal for calm from all concerned at this point in time, our security agencies will act swiftly to ensure their safe return,” he said.
