Just in: bandits strike again, abduct prominent Imam on his way to wedding
- Another kidnapping incident has been recorded in Kaduna state
- An Imam named Mohammed Saminu Adam was kidnapped on his way to attend a wedding ceremony
- This is happening as Nigerians await the release of some students and teachers kidnapped by bandits in Niger state
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The Chief Imam of Rigachikun Mosque in Kaduna, Mohammed Saminu Adam, was kidnapped on Thursday, February 18, on his way to attend a wedding ceremony in Niger state.
Daily Trust reported that the details of the location where the scholar and other travellers were abducted remained sketchy but noted that there are reports that the incident happened along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Highway.
It was gathered that the Imam was travelling in a commercial vehicle with other travellers when their vehicles came under attack.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng gathers that the secretary to the Council of Imams and Ulamas, Kaduna state branch, Ustaz Yusuf Al’rigassiyu, has confirmed the abduction.
Al’rigassiyu was quoted to have said:
“Yes, we heard about it because he was our member and we are told that they [bandits] abducted him along Birnin Gwari area."
A resident of Rigachikun who spoke anonymously said the bandits called the family of the Imam on Friday, February 19, but it was not clear if they made a ransom demand.
The source said the news of his abduction was announced at the mosque during Jumu'ah sermon.
The police command in Kaduna state, however, said it have not received a report on the incident.
27 students, others abducted in Niger
Earlier, Legit.ng reported how bandits invaded Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state, in the early hours of Wednesday, February 17, and abducted 27 students and three teachers.
They also kidnapped two non-teaching staff and nine family members of the staff who are staying in the quarters.
A student named Benjamin Habila was allegedly shot and killed on the school premises by the bandits.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read the best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Blank amnesty for bandits
Meanwhile, Sheikh Gumi, a popular Islamic scholar, has asked the federal government to give bandits who are willing to make peace a ‘blanket amnesty’.
Gumi noted that the move is important if the current security situation in the country must be tackled.
Legit.ng gathers that the Islamic scholar stated this on Friday, February 19, while addressing journalists in Minna, Niger state capital.
*******
Nurudeen Lawal is a Legit.ng journalist passionate about fact-checking/verification journalism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature-in-English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. As Politics Editor, Nurudeen mostly writes on Nigeria’s political and socio-economic developments. He has attended different workshops, conferences and training on fact-checking and digital reporting, among others. Learn more about him on Twitter, @Nurudeen Lawal_
Source: Legit.ng
