Barely 48 hours after bandits released nine students of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, upon alleged payment of ransom by their families, gunmen have stormed the university staff quarters, abducting Dr Bako, a professor at the Department of Physiology.
The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Auwalu Umar, while confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, said the armed men invaded the abducted professor’s residence at about 12:50 am alongside his wife and daughter.
He, however, said wife and daughter of the staff were released when the security chased the kidnappers into the bush.
The statement read: “The University Division quickly informed the operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team that advanced to the scene, following a distress call.
“There was an exchange of fire between the kidnappers and the mobile police operatives. When it was clear that they would be overpowered, the kidnappers ran into the bush along with the victims.
“As the police went after them up to Sasuwar Da’a village bordering the University, the kidnappers then released the wife and the daughter and went away with the husband. Some empty shells were recovered from the scene.”
The Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, as well as all relevant government establishments, have been duly informed of the unfortunate incident.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kabir Bala, urges the University community to remain calm and vigilant to avoid the recurrence of the incident.”
Meanwhile, unknown gunmen on Monday stormed the family house of the Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono at Tofai Village, Gabasawa Local in Kano State and abducted his younger brother.
Sabo Nanono, who is the current holder of the title of Sarkin Fulani of Tofai Village of Gabasawa local government.
An aide to the minister confirmed the abduction, disclosing that the gunmen attacked the house around 1.00 am on Monday.
It was also informed that before abducting Babawuro Tofai, a young boy in the house was beaten. The boy was said to have sustained a fracture in the course of the attack.
The abductors are yet to communicate with the family.
