Arm bandits have kidnaped seven persons at a football viewing center in Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state. The incident happened yesterday night at about 10pm. Multiple residents who spoke to WikkiTimes on condition of anonymity said the bandits numbering about 20 in military and police uniforms invaded the viewing center and kidnapped 7 people while others fled.
“They came in uniforms, parked their motorcycles closed by and kidnapped seven persons including the owner of the viewing center and his younger brother” a resident told WikkiTimes in a telephone conversation.
“When they kidnapped the 7 people, others run away and the bandits started shooting sporadically to scare people.
“The security personnel noticed that something was ongoing, they rushed to the place and started shooting too, but the bandits have already run away with their victims” another resident told this Medium.
Many residents of the LGA who spoke to WikkiTimes expressed disappointment that their security could not be guaranteed even after having “our son as a defence minister”.
“It’s very unfortunate that these incidents of banditry and kidnappings are happening at Birnin Magaji, the home town to Nigeria’s defence minister.
“One of the 7 victims who was kidnapped yesterday resides just 50 meters away from the defens minister’s house.
“Our town is still flooded with victims and as I’m talking to you right now, academic activities have been crippled at Galadima Primary School to be able to accommodate the large influx of IDPs” a resident added.
When WikkiTimes placed a call to the Emir of Birnin Magaji who is a brother to Nigeria’s Defence Minister Mansur Dan Ali, Alhaji Hussaini Dan Ali, the Emir directed our correspondent to called his secretary Mohammadu Mai Inji for comments on yesterday’s incident.
The Secretary confirmed the incident , but says it was still unclear as to the number of people kidnapped by the bandits.
When this medium inquired bout their displeasure with the security situation at the LGA in spite of being the home town to the defence Minister, Mai Inji said “The defence Minister represents the whole of Nigeria, you don’t expect him to prioritize Birnin Magaji because he hails from here”.
When contacted for comments, Zamfara state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Shehu told our reporter to give him time to confirm what happened.
He however did not revert as at press time.
WikkiTimes’ investigation in December 2018 has unearthed the catastrophic situation of villagers displaced by the bandits who repeatedly fingered traditional rulers, security agents and the state’s politicians for complicity in the ongoing banditry.
Many villages are still in captivity by the bandits who operate at will with no serious consequences.
