Big fear as gunmen kidnap 18 policemen in Kaduna

Gunmen suspected to be bandits, on Friday, kidnapped 18 police officers in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state.

The officers were said to be on surveillance along Birnin Gwari Funtua road before they were attached leaving an unidentified number dead and others missing or abducted by the bandits.

However, Sources said about 10 of the police officers were rescued by military operatives at Maganda on Saturday.

Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) Chairman, Barrister Salisu Haruna, confirmed the attack in a statement.

He informed that police officers around Dogon Dawa and other nearby communities had been told of the incident.

Haruna said, “Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) reports that the whereabouts of 18 Police Officers attacked along Birnin Gwari Funtua road on Friday 15 January 2021 is unascertained.

“The 18 police officers, who are on surveillance along Birnin Gwari Funtua road, were attacked on Friday. As at the time of filing this report, we could not ascertain the number of casualties. Eyewitness feared that some of the police officers were killed while others are said to be missing in the bush.

“Reports confirmed that two police have called via phone to inform home that they were attacked and that they could not locate their location.

“Similarly, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) reports that on Thursday an unconfirmed number of bandits have ransacked Damari village in Dogon Dawa constituency of Birnin Gwari local government area. The bandits who came on several bikes were said to have carted away heavy food commodities and stole many motorcycles. They did not kill anyone. They spent three hours in Damari village without any confrontation by the security.

“Birnin Gwari Emirates Progressives Union begs the government, upon who the protection of our lives and property is reposed on, to sit up and face security issues in Birnin Gwari squarely until victory is ascertained.”