Armed militants are said to have kidnapped a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Leo Raphael, and several other travelers in Sarkin Pawa, Munya Local Government Area, Niger State.
The cleric, who is the parish priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Sarkin Pawa, and the others were taken on their way to Sarkin Pawa on Sunday evening, according to reports.
It was discovered that the gunmen had barricaded the main highway, which was unknown to the passing motorists.
A source told newsmen that a large number of terrorists were sighted on motorcycles carrying one or two persons in military camouflage armed with weapons moving around the communities in the council unchallenged.
It also learnt that a truck transporting logs of wood from the forest was set ablaze by the terrorists, when the driver of the truck, on sighting them, abandoned the vehicle and took to his heels.
The council secretary of Munya local government, Mr James Jagaba, confirming the development, said the terrorists were sighted by villagers around Chibani, Injita, Tsohon Kabula and Jesso.
A source from the area said the terrorists were also seen around Gini and Gunu axis.
Recall two weeks ago, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello during a visit to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps in Gwada and a security camp at Mararaban Dandaudu, assured the people that new security strategies were being made to secure the area to enable the people to return home.
He also pledged to support the local security network with the necessary equipment to assist in the battle and defeat criminals in the state.