Bandits abduct couple, 4 others in Zaria, kidnap 4 in Ekiti

From Abubakar Sadiq Mohd, Zaria & Raphael Ogbonnaiye, Ado-Ekiti

Suspected bandits have again invaded the Kofar Gayan area of Zaria Local Government Area and abducted six people on Sunday night.

 A security source said the bandits who invaded the area around 11.30pm kidnapped their victims after sporadic gunshots.

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 Kofar Gayan is an area that recorded frequent abductions of people by bandits including a Customs officer who later regained freedom when he paid ransom after 69 days in captivity.

 It is located on the outskirt of the ancient city of Zaria where the famous Gambo Sawaba General Hospital and Kofar Gayan Lowcost were located.

 According to the source, those abducted included Khalifa Ibrahim and his wife, Karima, an Islamic cleric Abdulkadir Alarama, Idris Musa and Ikira Isihaka, all from the Kofan Gayan area.

Similarly, kidnappers have abducted four travellers in Irele-Ekiti, located in Ajoni Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ekiti State.

 According to sources in the community, the victims who were said to be heading to Ibadan, Oyo State capital after attending an event in Kogi State last weekend were kidnapped around 11am on Sunday.

 The four travellers were waylaid by seven gunmen who attacked them on the road between Irele-Ekiti and Oke-Ako and whisked them to the forest.

When contacted, the Amotekun Corps Commander, Brigadier General Joe Komolafe (retd) who confirmed the incident said “Operatives of the corps are combing the forest in the area towards rescuing the victims.”