Gunmen Kill Policemen, Abduct Amercian, Canadian On Kafanchan-Abuja Road

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Kaduna State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed that two of its officers were killed with two foreigners, an American and a Canadian abducted by kidnappers in Kagarko Local Government Area of the State.

The Command said the two officers lost their lives following a shootout between the police and the kidnappers.

A statement by Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Muktar said the incident took place on Tuesday at about 7pm as they were returning from Kafanchan on their way to Abuja.

Muktar further said; “As l am talking to you, the police command are doing everything possible to save the abducted persons.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed the Assistant Commissioner – Operations to immediately go there. The anti-kidnapping unit has already dispersed to mount surveillance. Other special task forces are also there.”

Asked whether there was any ransom demanded by the Kidnappers before the captives could be released, Muktar said no contact has been established yet thus no demand has been made.

“We are doing everything to rescue them and we will rescue them alive”, he assured.

Forefront gathered that the two foreigners were in Kafanchan to inspect a project being handled by their company.

A staff of the company, who preferred anonymity, said the American and the Canadian, in company of the two police escort, left Kafanchan heading to Abuja through Kagarko when they were ambushed by the gunmen.

According to him, “The two foreigners were in Kafanchan to see a project, but on their way back, they were ambushed by gunmen who opened fire on them. The two policemen were killed while the American and the Canadian were abducted.”

An eyewitness account from an indigene of the area, said suspected gunmen ambushed the vehicle conveying both foreigners along the Jere-Kargarko road at about 7pm on Tuesday on their way back to Abuja from Kafanchan in Southern Kaduna.

According to him, the two policemen, attached to the vehicle, were killed during an exchange of gun fire with the kidnappers, who later took away the two foreigners to an unknown destination.