By Wilson Adekumola
Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped the traditional rulers of Bakutunbe, Idris Unguwa, and Balma, Hussain Saleh, and shot dead a businessman in villages at Ningi Local Government on Saturday in Bauchi State.
The Local Government Chairperson, Ibrahim Zubairu, confirmed the incident on Sunday.
According to Premium Times,, the businessman, who was killed, is identified as Haruna Dan-Oc, a popular merchant in the area.
A resident, who preferred anonymity for fear of his safety, told newsnen that the gang of gunmen invaded Balma town around 11:00 p.m. with heavy gunfire before they abducted the district head.
“When they came into the town, they went straight to the palace of the district head and started shooting sporadically, which forced people to scamper for safety,” he this newspaper.
When the bandits left, residents discovered the corpse of Mr Dan-OC on the ground with bullets in his head and rushed him to the General Hospital Ningi, where he was certified dead by a medical doctor.
It was gathered that on the same night, the same group of gunmen went to Bakutunbe village and kidnapped the village head and a 45-year-old man, Ya’u Gandu.
Reports revealed that last week one Malami Ware was kidnapped in Ware Ware village, and another person Buba Kwancikwaniya was also kidnapped in Yelwa village, all in Ningi.
Mr Zubairu also called on the area’s residents to pray and give helpful information to the law enforcement personnel against the increasing crimes in the area.
He said he would make an effort to see that soldiers, who used to be stationed in the area, are returned to the area to restore security and build people’s confidence.
Contacted, the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, Muhammed Wakili could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off Sunday evening.
