There has been outcry in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State over the recent killing of one person and abduction of four other residents of the area in two different attacks, putting fear in the mind of the people.

Hon. Maryam Bagel, a former member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, raised the alarm over the incidents, describing the attacks as disturbing and calling for urgent intervention by security agencies.

According to her, the attacks occurred in Kagadama and Bagel villages, where suspected kidnappers targeted residents in separate operations. She disclosed that four people were abducted in Kagadama village, while another resident was shot dead in Bagel village in the presence of his family.

She said that: “Four people were kidnapped in Kagadama village, and one person was killed in the presence of his own family in my own village of Bagel.” Bagel said the first victim abducted was a pharmacy owner in Kagadama, alleging that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N50m for his release.

“Where are they expecting a village pharmacy owner to have N50m? I wonder,” she queried.

She further alleged that less than a week later, the gunmen returned and attacked another resident identified as Shahibi, who had previously been kidnapped about a year ago.

“Less than a week after, they went to kidnap Shahibi, who was earlier kidnapped barely a year ago in my village, and they killed him with several bullets in the chest and stomach in the presence of his wife, who happens to be my cousin, and their children,” she said

Bagel also claimed that the attackers returned to Kagadama on Tuesday in an attempt to abduct another shop owner. According to her, the intended victim escaped after the assailants fired several gunshots.

She added that the attackers subsequently abducted three other persons, including a 10-year-old boy attending to the shop, a sick young man who had just returned from the hospital, and another resident.

The former lawmaker appealed to security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to prevent further attacks in Dass Local Government Area.

She urged the government to ensure that the area did not fall into the hands of criminal elements, expressing hope that Bauchi State would not experience a resurgence of the widespread kidnapping incidents that affected parts of the state in previous years.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, confirmed the attacks. He said efforts were underway to ensure the rescue of the victims and to make sure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

Habib stated, “Our men are aware of the situation and are on top of the matter. Protecting lives and property is our mandate, and we will not allow the wave of insecurity to take away the peace we enjoy in Bauchi State.” (The Guardian)

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