The spate of insecurity is not abating in the country. In Kaduna gunmen kidnapped the Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Kawu Yakassai.
In Zamfara, eight corps members were kidnapped, and a N4 million ransom demand was made for one of them.
Kawu was kidnapped from his village in the Soba Local Government Area on Friday night.
In Benue State, the Police have commenced investigation into the killing of a retired Judge of the Benue State Customary Appeal Court, Justice Margaret Igbetar.
While the kidnappers of the party chieftain in Kaduna were yet to make any contact with family or friends, media reports say the parent of one of the eight kidnapped victims in Zamfara got a call asking for payment of N4 million for the release of the corps member.
In Kaduna, Governor Uba Sani, condemned the abduction of the APC official, directing to ensure the safe return of the APC chief.
In a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Shehu, he restated his administration’s commitment to the safety of lives and property of all residents in the state, adding that part of the steps taken to achieve security in Kaduna was to employ 7,000 vigilantes to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.
In Benue, Justice Igbetar was reportedly killed by persons suspected to be assassins at her residence in Makurdi on Thursday.
The Police, in a statement, said arrests have been made. The spokesperson for the Benue Police, Anene Catherine, gave details of what transpired:
“On 24/8/2023 at about 1530hrs information was received at ‘E’ Police Division Makurdi, that Justice Margaret Mary Igbetar (rtd) could not respond to calls and was nowhere to be found. Detectives were immediately deployed for investigation.
“A search conducted within her house at Wantor Kwange street, Gboko road, Makurdi led to the discovery of her dead body in a pool of blood inside her kitchen. It was also observed that she had deep cuts at her back.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of one Aondohemba Joseph and recovery of exhibits for detailed investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka condemned the dastardly act, assuring of his commitment to unravel the mystery behind the death an bring perpetrators of the barbaric act to book.
In the north-western state of Zamfara, the bandits reportedly abducted eight members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on a highway on Friday.
Media reports said they were travelling with an Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus from Uyo, Akwa Ibom to Sokoto State, to take part in the mandatory National Service when their vehicle was attacked by the bandits..
At press time, the police in Zamfara State was yet to comment on the abduction.