Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
Fresh attacks by suspected kidnappers have claimed one life and left four people abducted in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, raising renewed concerns over security in the area.
The incidents, which reportedly occurred in separate attacks over the past two weeks in Kagadama and Bagel villages, were brought to public attention by former member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and former House of Representatives aspirant, Maryam Bagel.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Bagel described the attacks as alarming and appealed to security agencies and government authorities to urgently intervene to prevent further violence.
According to her, four residents were abducted in Kagadama village, while another resident was shot dead in Bagel village in the presence of his wife and children.
“Four people were kidnapped in Kagadama village, and one person was killed in the presence of his own family in my village of Bagel,” she stated.
Bagel explained that the first victim abducted was a pharmacy owner in Kagadama. She alleged that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₦50 million for his release, questioning how a village pharmacy operator could afford such an amount.
She further disclosed that less than a week later, armed men returned and targeted another resident, identified as Shahibi, who had previously been kidnapped about a year ago.
According to her, the attackers shot him multiple times in the chest and stomach in front of his family, resulting in his death.
The former lawmaker also alleged that the gunmen returned to Kagadama on Tuesday in another attempted abduction.
She said the intended victim, a shop owner, escaped after the attackers opened fire.
However, the assailants reportedly abducted three other persons during the operation, including a 10-year-old boy attending the shop, a young man who had just returned from the hospital, and another resident.
Bagel appealed to security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations in Dass Local Government Area to prevent further attacks. She also urged the Bauchi State Government to ensure criminal elements do not gain a foothold in the area, warning against a return to the wave of kidnappings that previously affected parts of the state.
Confirming the incidents, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, Nafiu Abubakar Habib, said security operatives were actively working to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
“Our men are aware of the situation and are on top of the matter.
Protecting lives and property is our mandate, and we will not allow the wave of insecurity to take away the peace we enjoy in Bauchi State,” the police spokesperson said.
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