Bandits on Wednesday night abducted two serving councillors and an Imam during a daring attack on Tsauni Community in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The councillors, representing Gidan Goga and Tsibiri Wards in Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly seized at about 8:05 p.m. near a police outpost, shortly after they had performed the Maghrib prayers.
Chairman of Maradun Local Government Area, Hon. Sanusi Gama Giwa, confirmed the incident, identifying the abducted councillors as members of his council.
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According to Giwa, the victims were sitting with others at a tea spot when the armed men struck.
“It happened right in front of a police station where officers are usually present. The bandits even collected phones from the police officers without resistance. They didn’t harm anyone,” he said.
Giwa revealed that the attackers were initially hunting for a particular individual from Kaura Village.
“Upon failing to capture their target, they stumbled upon the group of men and abducted six of them.
“However, after moving a short distance, they released three and continued on with the councillors and the Imam,” he added.
Tsauni, the scene of the abduction, had previously hosted internally displaced persons fleeing banditry in surrounding villages, raising renewed concerns about the vulnerability of such communities.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the incident.
According to Daily Trust, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said operatives had been deployed to the area and that a rescue operation was underway.
“We are doing everything within our power to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice,” DSP Abubakar stated.
He urged residents to provide credible information that could assist security operatives in combating the criminals.
As of the time of filing this report, the abductors had yet to contact the victims’ families or make any demands.
