By Nazir Muhammad
The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s convoy thwarted attempted kidnapping of motorists along Kaduna-Abuja road on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurs not more than 24hour after the Police Command in Kaduna state says report on alleged kidnap of 30 people along Abuja-Kaduna expressway is fake news.
DSP Yakubu Sabo, the Command’s Public Relations’ Officer stated this in a statement that was released to the press in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said “the attention of the command was drawn to fake news going round on social media to the effect that about 30 people have been kidnapped along Abuja-Kaduna expressway on April 1 and their vehicles abandoned by road side.
“The command wishes to unequivocally refute the story as fake news fictitiously fabricated by some unpatriotic elements to create panic in the minds of unsuspecting citizens who ply the road for their legitimate businesses.”
“It is unfortunate that the fake news coincided with a sad incident of April 1, when at about 1830hrs, some armed men at a point near Gidan Visa along the expressway intercepted a Toyota Hilux with registration no. CT 01 AF belonging to the judiciary, and opened fire on the vehicle in the process, one Mshelia Sulaiman was injured and they took away the occupants.
“Patrol teams within the axis quickly moved to the scene, rescued the injured person and rushed him to the hospital,” he said.
He also disclosed that a combine team of operatives from the Anti Kidnapping Unit, police mobile force and conventional policemen were immediately mobilised to the area for intensive general search operation with a view to rescuing the victims and apprehend the culprits.
“A bank teller bearing the name of a possible victim and two foot wears were recovered in the Hilux and have since been taken to the police station.
“While the operation is still on, investigation on the incident has also commenced.
“The command appeals to members of the public to support the police with relevant information on the where about of these and other suspected criminals with a view to curbing the menace of banditry and other related crimes in the state,” Sabo said.
However, according to Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to Governor Elrufai, Mr Samuel Aruwan, Elrufai who was on his way to Abuja sighted dozens of vehicles parked at Akilubu village around 3:40pm by citizens alarmed that kidnappers were ahead.
The Governor assigned his security detail to advanced and cleared the road of the criminals. Without questioning his order, many kidnappers were seen fleeing into the bushes being chased by the Governor’s personal security. After clearing the road, Governor El-Rufai directed that travelers who had been wounded by the criminals be rushed to the nearest hospital. The Governor also directed security agencies to intensify patrols and permanently clear the road of the bandits.
If indeed we will take the word of DSP Yakubu Sabo that anti kidnapping, police mobil forces and conventional police are patroling those axis, why would Elrufai have to make use of his security detail? Nigeria expect more from police, patrolling those axis should be an utmost priority to the Nigeria Police Force.
A change of routine/duties should be encourage, a robust plan to fish out the banditry should not be taken lightly. To curb the menace, a decisive and radical approach should be adopted by government.
