Gunmen in the early hours of Thursday stormed the Toro residence of a lawmaker with the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Ibrahim.

Ibrahim is the member representing Toro/Jama’a constituency.

Confirming the incident in a statement issued to newsmen, the Bauchi Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, said it occurred at about 1.20 am.

He said that the gunmen, about five in number, forced the main entrance of the house and started firing sporadically “with the intention of either robbing or kidnapping their target.”

“On hearing the sound of gunshots, Police patrol team, led by DPO Toro Division, rushed to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle.

“The exchange of fire lasted for more than 20 minutes, after which they (hoodlums) were forced to abandon their mission and escape towards the mountainous hills.”

Mohammed said no casualties were recorded, adding that exhibits recovered at the scene included one live and 16 expended 7.62mmammunition.

He said efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that only last week, gunmen stormed Zalau village of Lame District in Bauchi and abducted one Hajiya Suwaiba , aged 45, wife of Hon. C.Nuhu, lawmaker representing Lame constituency at the Bauchi House of Assembly. (NAN)