- As policemen surrender phones without resistance
In a shocking display of bravado, bandits on Wednesday night invaded the Tsauni community in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, abducting two serving councillors and an Imam in the process.
The daring raid, which occurred right in front of a police station, caught the victims unawares shortly after they had performed the Maghrib prayers.
Reports said the councillors representing Gidan Goga and Tsibiri wards in Maradun Local Government Area, were ferried away by the criminals around 8:05 pm near the police outpost.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Maradun LGA, Hon. Sanusi Gama Giwa, identified the abducted councillors as members of his council, saying they were relaxing with others at a tea spot when suddenly the armed men struck.
The Council Chairman said, “It happened right in front of a police station where officers are usually present. The bandits even collected phones from the police officers without resistance. They didn’t harm anyone.”
According to him, the bandits were initially searching for a specific individual from Kaura village, adding, “Upon failing to capture their target, they stumbled upon the group of men and abducted six of them.
“However, after moving a short distance, they released three and continued on with the councillors and the Imam.”
In confirming the unfortunate incident, Spokesperson of Zamfara State Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, told dome journalists that operatives have already been deployed to the affected area and a rescue operation is ongoing.
He assured that the Police authorities “are doing everything within our power to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
DSP Abubakar urged residents of the affected areas to continue providing useful information that could aid in the Police efforts to put the criminal elements under check.
However, a reliable source said the abductors had made no contact with the families of the victims or issue any demands as of the time of filing this report.
For now, security insiders are worried that Tsauni, a community, which in recent past played host to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing banditry from surrounding villages, has suddenly become a focus of attack itself.
Also, reports indicated that the recent developments has further raised concerns about the increased exposure of the area security threats, especially banditry and kidnapping activities.
