Fresh attacks by suspected kidnappers have heightened fears in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State after one resident was killed and four others abducted in separate raids carried out within the last two weeks.
The incidents, which occurred in Kagadama and Bagel villages, were brought to public attention by former Bauchi State lawmaker and House of Representatives aspirant, Maryam Bagel, who lamented the deteriorating security situation in the area.
According to her, four residents were abducted in Kagadama village, while a man identified as Shahibi was shot dead in Bagel village in front of his wife and children during another attack.
Bagel disclosed that the first victim abducted in Kagadama was a pharmacy owner, whose captors allegedly demanded a ransom of N50 million for his release.
She questioned how a rural pharmacy operator could possibly raise such an amount, describing the demand as unrealistic and cruel.
The former lawmaker further alleged that less than a week after the first incident, the gunmen returned and attacked Shahibi, who had reportedly survived an earlier kidnap about a year ago.
According to her, the attackers shot him several times in the chest and stomach in the presence of his family before fleeing the scene.
Bagel also claimed that the assailants returned to Kagadama on Tuesday in another failed attempt to abduct a shop owner, who managed to escape despite being fired at.
She said the gunmen instead abducted three other people, including a 10-year-old boy who was at the shop, a young man returning from hospital, and another resident.
Calling for urgent intervention, she appealed to security agencies and the Bauchi State Government to reinforce security across Dass Local Government Area to prevent the area from becoming a haven for kidnappers and other criminal elements.
The Bauchi state police command confirmed the attacks.
SP Nafiu Habib, police spokesperson, said security operatives had already launched operations to rescue the abducted victims and track down those responsible.
“Our men are aware of the situation and are on top of the matter. Protecting lives and property remains our mandate, and we will not allow the current security threats to undermine the peace enjoyed in Bauchi State,” Habib said.
The latest incidents come barely a week after suspected bandits invaded Rafin Ciyawa village in Ningi Local Government Area, killing two children, injuring six others and abducting three residents.
Following that attack, the police deployed operatives of the Violent Crime Reduction Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, alongside local hunters and vigilante groups to intensify rescue efforts and pursue the attackers.
