Bandits abduct students in Zamfara

Seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, in Zamfara State have been abducted by suspected bandits who attacked their off-campus residence on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town.

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The Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Mannir Haidara Kaura, confirmed the incident, saying security agencies had commenced efforts to secure the safe return of the victims.

“The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” he said. A student of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmad, disclosed that one of the abducted students managed to escape, leaving six others in captivity, comprising three male and three female students.

The abduction has sparked concern among residents, with a group known as the Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda raising alarm over what it described as a deteriorating security situation in the area. In a statement, the group linked the growing insecurity to the activities of a notorious bandit leader, Kachalla Bello Dansadiya, and his gang.

The group cited previous incidents, including the abduction of two senior lecturers who were reportedly held captive for more than two months despite the payment of ransom. It also referenced the kidnapping of three residents and a district head from a residence located near a military base.

“Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried. The Zamfara State Police Command also confirmed the incident and said efforts had been intensified to rescue the students.

Police spokesperson DSP Yazid Abubakar said the attack occurred at the students’ residence located outside the institution’s main campus. He confirmed that one victim escaped while security operatives continued efforts to rescue the remaining six students.

According to Abubakar, the polytechnic itself remains adequately secured. “The school premises have been fortified with adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate,” he said.

Explaining how the incident occurred, the police spokesperson said one of the students reportedly stepped outside during the night and inadvertently left the door open. “One of the students went outside during the night, claiming he wanted to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” he said.

Abubakar added that operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, had launched a coordinated rescue operation. “Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” he said.