BY BOLUWAJI JEGEDE
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of 13 passengers by gunmen at Konar Barau village, Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Kuryas, made the confirmation in an interview with journalists in Minna, the state capital, on Wednesday.
The CP said that at about 3:30pm, the DPO of Zungeru reported that one Mubarak Idris of Kwanawa village, Sokoto State, who drove an 18-seater bus with registration number LGT 12 XWX, loaded with 18 passengers from Yauwuri, Kebbi State, mostly fishermen heading to Yenagoa Beyelsa State on fishing activities, reported the matter to the police.
According to him, Idris reported that on getting to Konar Barau sharp bend in Rafi Local Government Area, along Tegina-Minna Road, some suspected bandits in military uniform kidnapped 13 of his passengers alongside his motor boy.
He added that the gunmen also dispossessed the driver of the sum of N131,500.
The CP said that aggressive manhunt for the hoodlums had commenced. He urged the residents of the state to assist the police with reliable information that could lead to the arrest of the miscreants.
“We appeal to residents to volunteer information that could aid in apprehending miscreants. We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the protection of lives and property in our area of supervision,” he said.
