Kidnappers On Rampage In IGP’s Home State

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By; BALA B. BITRUS, Minna
Kidnappers on Thursday went on rampage at Zazzaga area of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, which happens to be the home state of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris at about mid-afternoon, (4:30pm) taking into captivity yet to be ascertained number of victims mostly local politicians from the area.

A dependable source close to the community where the kidnapping took place told out correspondent in Minna that those suspected to have fallen prey to the gang of  kidnappers were some ward and local government party executives of the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the council area who had converged in Sarkin Pawa ”for a crucial meeting”.
No sooner had the meeting ended and those who attended had dispersed the venue of the meeting to their respective domains than a band of kidnappers erected roadblocks at Zazzaga area where they trapped some of the Ward Chairmen and executives of the party in the local government area.
Our source said the operations by the dare devil kidnappers lasted for about one hour as they rounded up their hapless victims and harangued them into the bush without any resistance or assistance from any quarters.
As at the time of filing this report, there was no word from the den of the kidnappers even as the entire village has remained browbeaten by the incident which is one too many.
Munya local government area has become a lucrative target and place for kidnappers and armed bandits including cattle thieves and thugs
Only last week, the headquarters of the council witnessed a showdown between two groups over timing for prayers where two persons were killed and several others injured during their fracas and exchange of hostilities.
Also, no fewer than fifteen youths were apprehended by the military following a clash between soldiers recently posted to the area as a result of the increase in the spate of insecurity challenges occasioned by kidnapping, armed banditry and cattle rustling in the area.
Soldiers on sentry had imposed a mini restrictions and movements at nights as interim measures to check criminality but some band of youths challenged the authority of the military men to impose curfew in the area.
The leader of the military team had led his men to disperse a band of youths from a football viewing centre deep into the night even as the youths gathered the next morning to mobilise action against the military men.
As tension escalated, the leader of the military team visited the palace of the District Head in Sarkin Pawa to explain the behavior of the restive youths but met a stiff opposition and blockade mounted by some youths who felt slighted by the action of the military the previous day.
As the leader of the team of the military detachment made efforts to enter into the palace, the youth shouted at him and poured invectives on him. And while he addressed the District Head, the youths shouted from outside the palace and distrupted the meeting between the District Head and the commander of the military team.
Not done with their hostile posture and misbehaviour, as the military commander made to leave the palace of the District Head, the youths accosted him and some of them threw pebbles and other missiles at him from a distance, insisting that he must stay back at the Palace to hear their own side since he had reported his own version of the incidence to the District Head.
The commander, sensing trouble, signalled for more reinforcement of his men to the palace of the District Head.
On arrival, the youths whose number had increased, were said to have begun to haul missiles at the vehicle belonging to the military men even as they made attempts at the Palace of the District Head.
The soldiers quickly retreated and returned with more hands. The youths dispersed into the town but not before some of them were apprehended and bundled up into a military truck and brought to Minna.
The ring leaders of the youths who had escaped earlier are still being hunted by the military while many of the youths are believed to have gone underground for fear of being arrested.

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