Breaking: Another 42 passengers held hostage on Birnin-Gwari-Kaduna highways by armed bandits
The incident is coming just a week after eighty seven (87) passengers travelling along the highways were kidnapped by armed bandits operating in the area, prompting the NURTW to caution their drivers to avoid the route for now.
A report by PR Nigeria indicates that armed bandits have kidnapped 42 passengers en-route to Kano state, along Birnin-Gwari- Kaduna highways, within 24 hours.
Quoting an unnamed leader of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Birnin-Gwari, the report said the incidents occurred between evening of Tuesday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 23, this morning.
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The union leader was quoted as saying: “At least 42 passengers have been kidnapped along Birnin-Gwari and Kaduna highways 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.”
The report stated that relevant security agencies have been informed on the development and action is being taking to rescue the victims and apprehend the kidnappers.
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Last week, 87 passengers travelling along the highways were kidnapped by armed bandits operating in the area. The bandits reportedly selected their victims from their look and dressing and herded them into the bush.
The kidnappings were confirmed by the NURTW in the area, after which they cautioned their members from plying the route pending deployment of troop and other security agencies.
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Source: Naija.ng