Kidnappers went on the rampage in Munya Local Government
Area of Niger State on Thursday night, abducting eight persons in a single
operation, which lasted over an hour.
Among those abducted and still being held are
the Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government
area, Mr. Anthony Francis, as well as Keza ward chairman, Mr. Amos Keza.
The other victims are mostly politicians of the
APC extraction, who were returning from a meeting of their local government
branch of the party.
The kidnappers lay ambush for their victims at
Zagzaga, the same spot where the Divisional Police Officer for the local
government area was abducted last November.
Zazzaga community has come under serious
attacks from kidnappers in the last one month, leaving three people dead and
over N10million paid as ransom.
The abductors were said to have loaded their
victims into a vehicle and driven them right into the bush without any
resistance from their unarmed victims.
A few kilometers from the spot where the
abduction took place, one of the victims, Umar Alawa, chairman of the APC
Kabiru ward was released after being given the beating of his life. He is
currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
It could not be immediately ascertained why the
chairman was beaten and released midway.
The abduction of the eight people was said to
have thrown the Sarkin-Pawa community into confusion resulting in people
running into the comforts of their houses.
It was gathered that the kidnappers had
contacted the families of their victims making demands of between N5m and N13m
depending on the political weight of the victims.
Special Adviser to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello
in charge of Niger East Senatorial Zone, Mr. Pius Wakili, confirmed the story
saying, “ as I speak to you, I am in Sarkin-Pawa discussing with the families
of the victims”.
Wakili assured the people of the area that: “
government is not relenting in its efforts to protect the lives and property of
the people.” He appealed to them to remain calm.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state,
ASP Mohammed Abubakar also confirmed the story.
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