Gunmen kidnap students from Zamfara polytechnic

At least six students from the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, in Zamfara State have been taken by suspected armed bandits.

Mannir Haidara, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, confirmed this to Daily Trust. He said security agencies have been sent to rescue the students.

Locals reported that armed attackers have been troubling the area for some time now.

A local group, Concerned Citizens Group of Kaura Namoda, released a statement blaming a bandit leader, Kachalla Dansadiya, for the ongoing attacks on the community. They said the kidnapping of the students is just the latest in a scary trend of violence.

The group pointed out that before this latest incident, two senior lecturers from the Federal Polytechnic had been held captive for over two months, even after ransom payments were made for their release.

Residents also mentioned another person who was taken during an attack in the Low-Cost housing area and is still missing.

In a separate incident, an elderly district head was kidnapped from his home, which is near a military base.

The group expressed worry over the lack of military action, noting a recent raid:

“Two wives and five family members of a senior paramilitary officer were taken three weeks ago, even after urgent calls were made to security forces during the attack.

“Alarmingly, all of these victims are still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armored vehicles?

“Despite many complaints and suggestions sent to the authorities, nothing has changed. As a result, scared staff and students are leaving the town for their own safety,” the group said.

They warned that the ongoing and unchallenged movement of bandits between the town and their hideouts seriously questions the effectiveness of the nation’s security forces.

“Allowing these criminals to attack, kidnap, and return to their base without challenge is an insult to our national security.

“With a military base near the Low-Cost area, urgent action must be taken before the bandits try something even more embarrassing for our forces.”

With fear growing and the local economy and schools suffering, the community is calling on Nigeria’s top security officials for immediate help.

“We are urgently calling on the Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the SSS, and all relevant authorities to come to our aid.

“Do not wait for them to strike, take the fight to their doorstep, send more operatives and equipment, and protect our community and the Polytechnic before frustration leads residents to take action themselves.”