The abduction of 13 passengers by gunmen at Konar Barau village in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state was verified by the Niger Police Command on Wednesday.
In an interview with newsmen in Niger State, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Kuryas, verified the occurrence.
Kuryas said the matter was reported to the police by Mubarak Idris of Kwanawa village, Sokoto State, the driver of an 18-seater bus with registration number LGT 12 XWX loaded with 18 passengers from Yauwuri, Kebbi state, predominantly fisherman traveling to Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, on fishing activities.
He said Idris stated that suspected bandits in military uniform kidnapped 13 of his passengers and his motor boy as they approached Konar Barau sharp bend under Rafi local government area along Tegina Minna route.
He added that the gunmen also took the driver’s N131,500.
The commissioner stated that an active quest for the hoodlums had already begun, and he asked locals, particularly those in rural regions, to help the police by providing accurate information that could lead to the miscreants’ arrest.
“We appeal to residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in the state.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the protection of lives and property in our area of supervision.
“All we require from residents is vital intelligence information that could aid the security personnel deployed across the state on movement of dubious characters in their midst for necessary security action,” he said.
