KATSINA: Again, bandits strike, kidnap 15 traders

*They were nine not 15 – Police

AT least 15 traders travelling in a commercial vehicle along Tsaskiya-Ummadau road in Safana Local Government Area of the state were waylaid and kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be bandits yesterday.

It was gathered that the incident happened at about 3pm yesterday when the traders conveyed in J5 with registration number KZR 345 ZT while returning from Jibia market.

Narrating how the incident happened, an eyewitness said  the gunmen numbering 20 upon seeing the vehicle, shot reportedly into the air to send shivers down the spines of those around before they whisked away some of the passengers traveling in the vehicle.

“Fifteen out of 18 passengers in the vehicle were taken away by the bandits, numbering about 20 and heavily armed.

“The passengers were returning from Jibia market and most of them are traders,” the source said.

But in a swift reaction, the Katsina State police command’s spokesperson, SP Gambo Isah told journalists in the state that only nine of the victims were abducted out of which four were rescued and five others still with the abductors.

A few day to the latest incident, the Governor Aminu Masari administration had expressed hope that it was winning the war against banditry.

His optimisms followed the decision by some bandits to willingly surrender their arms to the state government and be rehabilitated into the society.