Monday, March 28, 2016

Gunmen abduct serving colonel in Kaduna

A Senior Army Officer, Col. Samaila Inusa, was on Saturday reportedly kidnapped around the Kamazo area in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State by yet-to-be identified gunmen.


The Army officer, who was said to be serving with the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, near Kaduna was in the company of his wife when the incident occurred.


KidnapThe kidnappers, it was gathered, dropped off the wife and left with the senior military officer and headed towards Abuja.


No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the senior military officer or placed a ransom on him as of the time of filing this report.


A statement issued on Sunday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, One Mechanised Division, Kaduna, Col. Usman Abdul, confirmed that the incident occurred at about 7.30pm on Saturday.


The Army spokesman, in the statement entitled, ‘A senior Army officer abducted-Col. Samaila Inusa,’ said, “This is to inform the general public that the above-named senior officer of the Nigerian Army serving in the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna, was abducted around Kamazo, near NNPC junction, Kaduna.


“The abductors dropped off his wife and left with him in his car. The car headed towards Abuja.


“Anybody with useful information or assistance should please assist in tracking these abductors.


“They are in a Mercedes Benz GLK black colour, with registration number, Abuja, KUJ 154 TZ. This happened at about 7:30pm on Saturday, March 26, 2016.


“You are, please, requested to inform the general public on this unfortunate incident. The following numbers could be reached for further contact 08033865572; 08030489203, 08023445961, 07038025282, 07038025282 and 08058130703.”


This was coming barely a week after three clerics were abducted along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.


The President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria, Rev. Emmanuel Dziggau, along with his Vice President, Rev. Iliya Anto,  and one Rev. Yakubu Zarma, were abducted by gunmen along the Kaduna – Abuja Express Way on Monday.


The abductors, numbering six, were masked and armed with AK47 rifles and demanded for a N100m ransom.


The ransom was later reduced to N80m, according to a family source.


Meanwhile, the troops of the 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested six persons in connection with the ethno-religious crisis in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State on March 25, 2016.


The Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Lt. Col. C. O. Egemole, said in a statement on Sunday that the troops also recovered some arms and ammunition and other weapons in the area.


He said that the arrested persons and the recovered weapons would be handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.


Egemole said that the security forces were intensifying efforts to apprehend other perpetrators of the violence in the area.


He said, “Six persons have so far been arrested in connection with the crisis and the ongoing manhunt for other perpetuators.


‘Three Ak47 assault rifles, two AK47 magazines, four single-barrel guns, 11 cartridges, one axe, two hammers, one cutlass, two handsaws, one knife, three mobile phones, one catapult, one broken butt, 19 rounds  of 5.56mm, 104 rounds of 7.2mm special and one litre of PMS have so far been recovered.


“We will be handing over the suspects and arms to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.”


Egemole said that the Army formation held two meetings with the warring factions before the crisis, which were ignored as shown by the disturbance of March 25, 2016.


He explained that the crisis started when some youths stoned worshippers during the Juma’at Service on March 25, 2016.


He said that the security operatives who responded swiftly to the crisis were able to restore law and order within 24 hours.


Egemole, who said that no life was lost during the crisis, added that measures had been put in place to resolve the crisis in the area.


He called on stakeholders to educate the youth of the area on peaceful coexistence.



Gunmen abduct serving colonel in Kaduna

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for dropping your response, there are other interesting news on the page too