Bandits abduct university don in Zamfara

Bandits have kidnapped a director, Bello Janbako, of the Centre for Research, Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State.

Janbako, who is also a senior lecturer at the university’s Department of Islamic Studies, was kidnapped at his residence in Damba Gusau, the state capital on Wednesday.

A group of bandits broke into Janbako’s residence at around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and stole some items, according to Nasamu Garba, a local resident.

Garba said security personnel engaged the bandits in a gun duel in a bid to foil the abduction but the still made away with him.

He said, “When the bandits arrived at the his residence of Bello Janbako, they fired several gunshots in order to frighten the residents of the area.

“They later broke into the house and abducted him but were confronted by the security personnel who arrived the area on a rescue mission.

“There was a serious fight between the bandits and the security personnel.

“Unfortunately, the bandits overpowered the security personnel due to their numbers and ran back to the forest with  Bello Janbako.”

He added, “It is really unfortunate, this area which is part of Gusau town, the state capital is no more safe”.

“The bandits have been attacking us and have abducted many people from this area despite its closeness to the Government House Gusau.

“If the people of Damba area are not safe, one can say that the whole state is now controlled by bandits.”

There were media reports that a resident of the area who is a Director of Finance in the state Ministry of Finance, Malam Sabiu, was abducted two days ago.

Similarly, the wife and two children of another finance director, Surajo Hassan, who were also residents of the area were abducted last year.

Residents of the area are currently fleeing to other places for safety as the bandits are always around and kidnap