Reports indicate that about 18 policemen were  abducted by bandits during a highway patrol in Kaduna on Friday.

It was gathered that the security personnel were commuting from Minna, Niger State, to Kano, when they were ambushed by the attackers.

Sources say about 10 policemen were rescued by military personnel at Maganda on Saturday.

The Kaduna State Police command is yet to confirm the incident. However, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) Chairman, Barrister Salisu Haruna confirmed the abduction and said security operatives around Dogon Dawa  and other communities have been alerted of the attack 

The BEPU Chairman, who stated that the attack occured along Birnin Gwari-Funtua road, revealed that eyewitness account indicate that some of the police officers were killed while others are said to be missing in the bush.

He said: “Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) reports that the whereabouts of 18 Police Officers attacked along Birnin Gwari Funtua road on Friday 15 January 2021 is unascertained.

“The 18 police officers, who are on surveillance along Birnin Gwari Funtua road, were attacked on Friday. As at the time of filing this report, we could not ascertain the number of casualties. Eyewitness feared that some of the police officers were killed while others are said to be missing in the bush.

“Reports confirmed that two police have called via phone to inform home that they were attacked and that they could not locate their location.

“Similarly, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU) reports that on Thursday an unconfirmed number of bandits have ransacked Damari village in Dogon Dawa Constituency of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

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“The bandits who came on several bikes were said to have carted away heavy food commodities and stole many motorcycles. They did not kill anyone. They spent three hours in Damari village without any confrontation by the security.

“Birnin Gwari Emirates Progressives Union begs the government, upon who the protection of our lives and property is reposed on, to sit up and face security issues in Birnin Gwari squarely until victory is ascertained."

In the last one year, Kaduna has gained notoriety for banditry attacks accompanied with kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling, and armed robbery.

On Sunday, bandits abducted about 27, traders on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.

Recall that on Wednesday, armed bandits attacked Mando village in Birnin Gwari town, Kaduna State, and abducted 18 persons, including four nursing mothers and their babies.

Sources say the assailants also carted away food items and household materials.

In a similar attack on a Kaduna community, Eons Intelligence reported that armed bandits in the early hours of Wednesday attacked Garu village in Igabi local government area killing two persons identified as Aliyu Daiyabu and Safiyanu Muhammad.

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