By Adelowo Oladipo

Copyright tribuneonlineng

….. as Police confirms incident

Gunmen have abducted a commissioner serving in the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NISIEC), Ahmed Mohammed, his driver and former Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa Niworu.

The incident occurred on Monday in the early hours of the day, around the Ibbi National Park along Zugurma-Ibbi to New Bussa road in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The victims were said to be returning from Borgu when the incident occurred, just as an unidentified passersby later spotted their vehicle parked by the roadside, while the victims’ mobile phones were left behind in the vehicle.

It was further gathered that the armed men blocked the road ahead of a police checkpoint, and after the attack along the Ibbi-Bussa road, the Police tactical team were said to have engaged and repelled the hoodlums.

A Police operative allegedly sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, in a brief chat with journalists, saying, “a Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots in the process, adding that they abducted some passengers along the road from about three commercial vehicles.”

According to SP Abiodun, the state police command has mobilised more tactical teams with other security agencies, and vigilante members trailing the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims and possible arrest of the fleeing hoodlums.

Also, a family member of the former NSUBEB Chairman, Niwero, also confirmed the incident, adding that the victim was kidnapped on Monday.

The source, who pleaded for anonymity during an interview with Tribune Online in a telephone conversation, said the former chairman is still in captivity.

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