The Nigeria Police has confirmed the abduction of the Emir of Bungudu in Zamfara state, Alhaji Hassan Atto, and some commuters, along the Kaduna – Abuja highway.
The Kaduna State Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Kaduna.
“Today, Sept 14, at about 3.10 pm, the Kaduna Police Command received a tragic report of an attack and kidnapping incident around Dutse village along the Kaduna-Abuja road.
“An unspecified number of people were suspected to have been kidnapped, while two others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
“Equally, available information indicated that the Emir of Bungudu, Zamfara State, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Hassan Atto, is among the people abducted to an unknown destination,” he said.
Reports reaching the command indicated that the commuters were intercepted by the bandits, who fired shots at random, before abducting their victims.
He said operatives of the command were dispatched to restore normalcy in the area, as a result of which an officer paid the supreme price.
Jalige added that four vehicles were recovered from the scene, but that the exact number of persons kidnapped was yet to be ascertained.
Meanwhile, a reinforcement team had been dispatched to the area, with a view to rescuing the victims unhurt, Jalige also said.