Gunmen kill vigilante operative, kidnap couple, toddler in Katsina
Gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday have launched an attack on Filin Canada Quarters, in Sabuwar Unguwa area of Katsina metropolis, where they kidnapped three members of a family and in the process shot dead a local vigilante.
The incident occurred at about 3:00 am when the assailants stormed the residence of 33-year-old Anas Ahmadu, abducting him, his seven-month pregnant wife, Halimat, and their daughter, Jidda Anas. A report by Katsina Post, said Halimat is the daughter of a prominent business man in Katsina State.
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Daily Trust gathered that though there have been attacks across Katsina State, this is the first time in about two years that such is being recorded in the capital city.
During the attack, a vigilante member identified as Abdullahi Muhammad, 25, was shot dead while attempting to render help to the victims against the attackers. The criminals fled the scene before the arrival of security operatives, Daily Trust gathered.
A family source told Daily Trust that the bandits in large numbers stormed the couple’s residence around 3:am and abducted them.
“About seven gunmen scaled the fence of the house and banged on their entrance door, asking them to open it.
“Before they broke in, the wife placed a distress call to a vigilante member who responded. Unfortunately, other bandits hiding in the dark opened fire and killed him.
“She locked herself in the toilet when she realised they were about to break into the house, while the husband tried to escape through the back door, but he was unable to.
“They broke in, bundled the husband, forced the toilet door open and abducted them, including their two year-old daughter,” he said.
Another source close to the family told our correspondent that the wife is the daughter of Alhaji Usman Turare, an independent petroleum marketer who owns many filling stations in the state.
“Her husband is a young businessman but I don’t think he was their target, because the father of the wife is rich,” he said.
One of the neighbors said they heard the gunmen speaking in low voices and that there was someone among them who was providing directions.
Daily Trust also gathered that the gunmen reached out to the uncle of the wife around 9:00pm yesterday.
“But, I don’t know whether they demanded for ransom or not,” the source said.
Police spokesman in the state, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area swiftly responded to the distress call and restored calm to the neighbourhood.
