Gunmen Invade ABU Staff Quarters, Kidnap Senior Staff, Wife, Daughter

Unknown gunmen on Monday invaded the Staff Quarters of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU Zaria) and abducted a senior staff of the school.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after nine students of university kidnapped on Kaduna-Abuja highway last Sunday regained freedom.

The University’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwalu Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.

He said security operatives engaged the kidnappers in exchange of fire.

He however said wife and daughter of the staff were released when the security chased the kidnappers into the bush.

According to him: “At about 12:50am on Monday, 23rd November, 2020 kidnappers invaded the house of a staff member of the University on Sardauna Crescent, Area BZ, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria. They went away with him along with his wife and daughter.

“The University Security Division quickly informed the operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team that advanced to the scene following the distress call.

“There was an exchange of fire between the kidnappers and the mobile police operatives. When it was clear that they would be overpowered, the kidnappers ran into the bush along with the victims.

“As the police went after them up to Kasuwar Da’a village bordering the University, the kidnappers then released the wife and the daughter and went away with the husband.

“Some empty shells were recovered from the scene.

“The Inspector General of Police and other security agencies, as well as all relevant government establishments have been duly informed of the unfortunate incident.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kabir Bala, urges the University community to remain calm and vigilant to avoid the recurrence of the incident.”