Suspected armed bandits kidnap Katsina lawmaker’s family, Niger traditional ruler

Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Saturday night abducted the wife and two children of the Katsina State lawmaker representing Bakori Local Government Area at the State House of Assembly, Dr. Ibrahim Kurami.

The bandits, it was gathered, stormed the residence of the lawmaker in Kurami village in Bakori Local Government Area of the state at about 9:15pm and shot at a member of the First Aid group of Islam they met at the main gate.

A resident of the area, Kamilu Sabo, who confirmed the abduction of the victims in a telephone interview on Sunday, said the bandits left the member of the First Aid group of Islam with varying degree of injuries.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, could not be reached for comments as his telephone lines were not connecting as of press time.

Also, efforts by THISDAY to reach the lawmaker who immediately left for Katsina after participating in the Saturday’s APC council congress in the area, were futile.

But Sabo said: “Bandits attacked the residence of our lawmaker, Dr. Ibrahim Kurami yesterday (Saturday) and kidnapped his wife and his two children. They also shot one of our members of First Aid group of Islam. He is currently receiving treatment in Bakori General Hospital”.

According to him, the lawmaker was not in the house when the hoodlums invaded his home, alleging that the target of the hooligans was to kidnap the legislator.

Also confirming the incident, a senior security officer who craved anonymity, said that security operatives were dispatched to the scene of the incident and the council on Saturday night.

The source added: “Our men have been on ground there (Kurami) since Saturday night and a search party has already been launched for the three abducted victims.”

In a related development, the Dodo of Wawa, Dr. Mahmud Ahmed Aliyu of Borgu in Niger State, has been allegedly abducted by armed bandits.

Borgu is in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State.

It was learnt that Aliyu was abducted in his palace on Saturday around 10 pm.

The gunmen, numbering about 20, were said to have invaded the palace shooting sporadically.

Sources said that the traditional ruler had retired to his room before he was forcefully taken

He was said to have been taken alone without the gunmen harming anybody in the palace.

“They arrived on motorcycles at 10pm yesterday and shooting into the air that threw the whole palace and the area into panic.

“They left with our ruler and presently, nothing has been heard on his whereabouts,” an eyewitness stated.

The Niger Police Command confirmed the abduction.

Niger Police spokesman, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the police were on the trail of the abductors, adding that they won’t rest until they get him back safe and unharmed.

•Based on reports by THISDAY and The Nation.