Gunmen suspected of being kidnappers entered Tambuwal town, seat of Tambuwal Local Government Area, Sokoto State, and seized Aliyu Maidamma, brother of late industrialist Alhaji Dikko Chemist, after intermittent gunshots.
The alleged bandits were believed to be planning a retaliatory attack after their comrades were killed by security forces in the Kebbe district, 45 kilometres from Tambuwal.
Kebbe town, the headquarters of the Kebbe Local Government Area, is located in one of the state’s most remote areas, with many of its main towns and villages separated by hundreds of kilometres from the local government headquarters where the military soldiers were tented.
The huge terrain and forested region have long been used as a hideaway for various types of criminals and gangs terrorizing locals.
Despite a series of military aircraft bombardments, the bandits continue to perform their nefarious operations in the region, taking unfair advantage of the woodland.
A Tambuwal local who witnessed the incident but declined to give his identity claimed the gunmen stormed the Tambuwal car park about 9 p.m., firing intermittently before kidnapping Maidamma.
Those who observed them stated they were on their way to Kebbe town, maybe to test the resolve of the military and other security personnel stationed there.
“One funny thing is that there was no light in Tambuwal when the attack took place, which gave gunmen the opportunity to carry out their game successfully without resistance,” one eyewitness stated.
Attempts to contact the state police command public relations officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahamed Rufa’e, were futile because calls to his number were not answered.
