On Tuesday night, suspected bandits broke into the off-campus apartment of seven students at the Federal Polytechnic in Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, near the town’s Low-Cost sector, and abducted them.
Security forces have begun measures to ensure the victims’ safe return, according to Mannir Haidara Kaura, chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, who confirmed the occurrence.
“The incident has taken place, and rescue operations are underway by security personnel to guarantee the safe return of the abducted students,” he stated.
Ibrahim Ahmad, a student there, stated that three men and three ladies were taken captive while one of the victims escaped the attack.
Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda have voiced their dismay at the deteriorating security situation in the region, which they attribute to the infamous bandit leader Kachalla Bello Dansadiya and his associates.
The group brought up past events in the region, such as the kidnapping of two senior professors who were detained for over two months despite payments for ransom, in a statement.
The efficacy of the continuing security operations in the region was called into question by the group.
The latest kidnapping was confirmed by the Zamfara State Police Command on Wednesday, who said that efforts to rescue the captives had been escalated.
According to DSP Yazid Abubakar, the command’s spokesperson, the incident happened last night at the students’ apartment on the borders of the Low-Cost neighbourhood.
One student managed to escape, while six others were abducted, according to his confirmation.
Bandits would have a hard time breaking into the school grounds, he claims, because the institution itself is well-protected.
One student allegedly went outside at night and left the door unlocked, giving the assailants access, as Abubakar stated.
It was discovered that a student had left the door open while going outside to pee in the middle of the night. “The students were abducted by the bandits who broke into the house as they were passing through the area,” he claimed.
The operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), he continued, have organised a rescue mission with mission Fansan Yamma’s troops to free the victims.