Unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly stormed the residence of former Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and have abducted her daughter identified as Maryam Abdullahi Mustapha on Friday February 7.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the gunmen reportedly stormed the building located at Hayin Malam Jama’a in Sabon Gari LGA at about 11:30pm with sophisticated weapons.
According to local reports, the gunmen shot the security guard before they abducted the 35-year-old mother of three who was visiting her father from Lagos.
As at the time of filing this report, the gunmen have not contacted the former ABU Vice Chancellor’s family to make demands for ransom.
An eyewitness told The Nation;
“In fact we suspected that they must have an informant who must have conducted a survey of the area.
“The gunmen invaded the former VC’s residence in a commando style and headed straight to the Prof’s apartment.
“They (gunmen) ordered one of the security guards on duty to lead them to Professor’s room. The security man attempted to run and he was shot.
“But they eventually had their way inside the house where they forced occupants, including the daughter who came from Lagos on a visit.
“The bandits are yet to call to make demand since the incident on Friday night.”
Reacting to the incident, the Police Public Relations in Kaduna state, DSP Yakubu Sabo confirmed the abduction and further disclosed that one of the gunmen was killed after operatives of the command responded to a distress call.
Sabo further disclosed that one AK47 magazine loaded with twenty four (24) live Ammunition and a techno handset were recovered from the body of bandit, while Seven (7) empty shells of AK47 ammunition were recovered at the scene of the incident.
He said;
“On 07/02/2020 at about 2340hrs, the Command received a distress call through DPO Samaru Division Zaria that, some unknown Armed Men entered the residence of Professor Abdullahi Mustapha former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, shot and injured one Zayyanu Abdullahi a security man and took away Maryam Abdullahi Mustapha a 35 year old daughter of the Professor.
“On receipt of the information, teams of Policemen were promptly mobilized to the scene, engaged the hoodlums in a serious gun duel and successfully neutralized one of the bandits who died on the spot and several of the attackers escaped with gun injuries.
“Exhibits recovered on the body of the neutralized bandit includes an AK47 Magazine loaded with twenty four (24) live Ammunition and a techno handset while Seven (7) empty shells of AK47 ammunition were recovered at the scene of the incident.
“However, the bandits succeeded in running away with the victim in the heat of the gun battle.
“The injured security man is currently receiving treatment at ABU Teaching Hospital Zaria and is responding positively, while efforts are on top gear to rescue the victim and apprehend the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to book.
“The Command assures the Public that, it is doing everything possible to ensure that the victim is rescued unharmed and appeals to the general public to support the Command with useful information that could help overcome the present security challenges.”
