Birnin-Gwari: Another 42 Passengers Taken Hostage

In a daring and consistent operation along Birnin-Gwari- Kaduna Highways, armed bandits have kidnapped forty-two (42) passengers’ en-route to Kano within 24 hours.

A leader of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Birnin-Gwari who pleaded anonymity told PR-Nigeria that the incidents occurred between evening of Tuesday and Wednesday’s morning.

The union leader said: “At least 42 passengers have been kidnapped along Birnin-Gwari and Kaduna Highway between yesterday evening and this morning.

“This Wednesday morning around 8.00am the armed bandit intercepted three vehicles conveying 21 people from Birnin-Gwari, Kuriga and Kagara and abducted them into the bush.

“Meanwhile, yesterday evening around 5.15am another 21 people inside commercial VW golf (saloon) cars were also kidnapped.

 “Some of the drivers of the vehicles who escaped on sighting the kidnappers narrated their ordeal to us.

“Majority of the passengers including women and children were travelling to Kano when the kidnappings occurred.”

PR-Nigeria has gathered that relevant security agencies have been informed on the development and action is being taking to rescue the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.

Recall that PR-Nigeria had reported activities of armed bandits operating along Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna Highways where they recently kidnapped 107 passengers which prompted the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai  to charge troops to end the wanton killings and destruction of property in the axis in three weeks.

Concerned with the incessant kidnapping and killing, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the area cautioned its members from plying the route pending deployment of troop and other security agencies.

An official of NURTW told PR-Nigeria that most of the kidnapped victims were passengers traveling between North and Southern parts of the country.

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