Kaduna: Abductors free 61 Emmanuel Baptist Church members, nine others

• 12 Die In Bandits’ Rivalry Clash, Attack

No fewer than 70 kidnapped persons, including members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, in Kaduna State regained their freedom at the weekend.

It would be recalled that 66 worshippers were kidnapped on Sunday, October 31, 2021, when bandits invaded the community during church service. The abductors shot five of their victims, killing three and leaving two injured.

However, confirming the release of the victims, at the weekend, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Revd. Joseph Hayab, said another nine abducted victims were released together with the 61 worshippers on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said victims were handed over to the state government by the military for an onward reunion with their families.

He also said they were taken to the hospital for a post-trauma evaluation…

In arelated development, a rivalry clash between two bandits’ groups led to the death of 10 bandits at Sabon Birni forest, in Igabi Local Council of Kaduna State.

Also, two persons lost their lives after an outlawed vigilance group, locally known as Yansakai, attacked a Fulani settlement in Kankara Local Council of Katsina State.

A statement by the Katsina Police Command spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Gambo Isah, said the bandits’ clash occurred two weeks ago.

He said the Kaduna incident led to the recovery of suspected rustled animals, including 67 cows, 60 sheep, 40 goats and three donkeys at the homes of the deceased bandits’ leaders in Katsina State.

Isah, however, said the incident that led to the death of two persons occurred on December 1.

“On 2/12/2021 at about 0830hrs, credible information was received that about two weeks ago, two groups of bandits led by one Kabiru Master and another led by one Tashi Alhaji Musa had a misunderstanding, which led to a serious fight at Sabon Birni forest, Igabi Local Council of Kaduna State that led to the killing of Tashi Alhaji Musa and nine other bandits.

“Both leaders were indigenes of Dage Village, Dutsinma Local Council of Katsina State.

“Subsequently, intelligence report at the command’s disposal revealed some of their domestic animals, reasonably suspected to be rustled, were brought home by some bandits who survived the fight.

“Consequently, the command swung into action and raided their respective houses at Dage Village, Dutsinma Local Council.

“During the investigation, we recovered 67 cows, 60 sheep, 40 goats and three donkeys.

“Similarly, on 1/12/2021 at about 1720hrs, information was received that unknown Yansakai outlawed group from Kandarawa/Garanguzai villages of Bakori Local Council of Katsina State, attacked Gidan Gamji Fulani settlement, Kankara Local Council, shooting sporadically with dangerous weapons.

“The Yansakai killed two persons and set the camp ablaze before the arrival of police patrol teams to the area. DPO Kankara led police patrol teams to the area.

“It was thoroughly searched and one AK-47 rifle with empty magazine was recovered beneath a corn stalk. Investigation is ongoing.”