Malik Yahya/
Gunmen numbering about 60 reportedly abducted 40 persons after attacking two Peugeot J5 buses in Katsina State last night.
NewsmakersNG learnt that the buses were returning from a weekly market at neighbouring Jibia town and on their way to Batsari town when they were attacked around Ruma village.
The bandits reportedly blocked the road and moved all the passengers to the bush.
Police authorities in the state, however, said they had succeeded in rescuing most of the victims except seven.
Spokesman of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah, disclosed this in a statement today.
The statement reads, “The command wishes to clarify rumours being circulated in the social media that yesterday in the evening, bandits kidnapped forty persons along Jibia – Batsari road.
“What truly happened was that yesterday (Sunday) 5/01/2020 at about 18:00hrs, bandits numbering over sixty armed with AK 47 rifles blocked Jibia – Batsari road, exactly at Ruma village, forcefully stopped two J5 motor vehicles and took the occupants of the vehicles into the bush.
“Search party led by Operation Puff Adder went after the hoodlums but succeeded in rescuing all the victims with the exception of seven others.
“The Police in collaboration with community members are combing the bush with a view to rescuing the remaining seven persons not seen.” he
He gave the names of the victims who are yet to return as Ma’azu Yasore, Alhaji Nuhu, Kabiru Hashimu, Dan Asibi Tela, Sani Kokari, Nura Shambal and Ali Dan Maituwo.
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