Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers blocked Birnin Gwari/Funtua highway, killed a driver and kidnapped scores of travellers
A resident in the area, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf who confirmed this on Monday evening said the incident happened on September 1, 2022.
Also confirming the incident, Chairman, Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai in a statement on Monday, said following the military onslaught along Birnin Gwari/Kaduna highway, bandits have now shifted their activities to Birnin Gwari/Funtua highway.
According to him, the bandits launched an attack on motorists, kidnapped and even killed some of the victims.
He said presently, the road is no longer motorable for travellers as a result of the recent blockage.
He said BEPU appreciates and commends the government and the gallant Nigerian troops on renewed effort towards combating insecurity in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, adding that the union was happy that the new General Officer Commandant (GOC) of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army Kaduna, personally led a team of gallant troops on ground surveillance on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.
He said the troops went through Kaduna to Birnin-Gwari and Birnin-Gwari to Funtua roads respectively where some successes were recorded including neutralizing and arresting some bandits who were intercepted in some communities around the roads, adding that the effort is commendable as they sincerely appreciate and commend the government and the Nigerian troops for this achievement and renewed move in combating insecurity in the area.
The statement expressed the union’s pleasure at the presence of security personnel mobilized around Kaduna to Birnin-Gwari road, saying this step has significantly reduced the tension in their minds as they now saw the move as an attempt to address the persistent attacks on Birnin-Gwari/Kaduna road.