Some unknown gunmen reportedly attacked and killed a farm manager and abducted 3 other people in what appears to be a coordinated attack on two farms on the outskirts of Sabon-Wuse community in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state. The deceased manager was said to have made an attempt to confront and wrestle one of the attackers when he was shot and killed.
The incident appears to be a kidnap plot as eyewitnesses say no cattle were rustled during the attack. It was reported to have occurred in the early hours of Sunday, around 2am, when the suspects stormed the farmhouses separately. The farm manager was said to have been killed in one of the farmhouses while the three farm hands were abducted in the other.
The commander of the security vigilante in Tafa, Hussaini Abubakar, who confirmed the incident on Wednesday told newsmen that the gunmen had first abducted the three people and later shot the manager to death when he attempted to confront them as they were leaving the area.
“The manager was among the people who attempted to confront the gunmen, but in the process, he was shot to death,” he said.
The Niger State Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the incident on Wednesday. He said two persons were abducted but assured the people that the police were making efforts to rescue them.
“On August 11, 2024, at about 0100hrs, information was received that suspected armed men attacked a residence at Angwan-Aso, via Sabon-Wuse.
‘’The police patrol team attached to the Sabon-Wuse Police Division led by the Divisional Police Officer moved to the scene, but the hoodlums had escaped with the victims.
“It was also observed that during the attack, the hoodlums had an encounter with a security guard attached to a poultry farm in the neighbourhood, but the guard sustained gunshot injuries, while two victims were abducted.
‘’Unfortunately, the injured victim was taken to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hospital in the town, where he was confirmed dead. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims unhurt,” he said.
