A retired Army officer, Col. Lawal Rabi’u Yandoto (rtd) has been kidnapped by armed bandits on his way to Yandoto, his home town in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Yandoto is a close political rival to Senator Kabiru Marafa and has been campaigning against Marafa’s ambition of winning the election in 2023.
He is the leader of the Zamfara All Progressive Congress political group called ‘Wake da Shinkafa’ with the sole aim of ensuring that Kabiru Marafa does not win the senatorial seat come 2023.
It was learnt that Yandoto, who departed from Gusau, the state capital, was abducted on Sunday evening, alongside two of his children and two other people with him.
This was disclosed by a source within the community, Mohammed Hassan, on Monday morning.
According to the source, “The bandits ambushed the rtd. Col. at around 6:00 pm on Sunday evening and kidnapped him along with his two children and two other victims.”
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He explained that there were sporadic gunshots very close to Yandoto town, causing the people to flee, adding that Yandoto’s abduction was noticed after the bandits left and his car was found empty.
SP Muhammad Shehu, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) could not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, four have persons died, while three others sustained injuries in a lone accident on Sunday at Nami village, Agai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Niger, Mr Kumar Tsukwam, made it known on Monday that the accident occurred at about 10.00 p.m. on Sunday night.
He said that an articulated vehicle was loaded with chemicals with 49 male passengers seated on top from Lagos, heading to Kano State.
He said, “Forty nine male persons were involved in the accident; four of them died, while three others sustained injuries and 42 escaped unhurt.”