Gunmen kidnap students in Zamfara Polytechnic

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

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

Residents shared that the area has been facing attacks from armed groups for a while now.

A local group, Concerned Citizens Group of Kaura Namoda, released a statement blaming a bandit leader named Kachalla Dansadiya for the ongoing attacks. They said that the kidnapping of the students is just the latest case in a series of violent incidents.

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

Other residents pointed out that another person was also taken during an attack on the Low-Cost housing area and is still missing.

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

The group expressed worry about the lack of military action in the area. They highlighted a recent raid where, “Two wives and five family members of a senior paramilitary officer were taken three weeks ago, despite urgent calls made to security forces during the attack.”

They added, “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 armoured vehicles?”

The group continued, “Despite numerous complaints and suggestions forwarded to the authorities, nothing has changed. As a result, fearful staff and students are fleeing the town for their own safety.”

They warned that the bandits moving freely between the town and their hideouts weakens the nation’s security.

“Allowing these criminals to attack, kidnap, and return to their base unchallenged is an affront to our national security.

“With a military base located near the Low-Cost area, proactive measures must be taken immediately before the bandits attempt something even more embarrassing to our forces.”

As fear grows and the local economy and schools suffer, the community is asking Nigeria’s top security leaders 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 rescue.

“Do not wait for them to strike, take the fight directly to their doorstep, deploy more operatives and equipment, and protect our community and the Polytechnic before frustration drives residents to take matters into their own hands.”