TheCable

At least eight persons were abducted, on Sunday, following an attack by gunmen at the staff quarters of the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy, Zaria LGA, Kaduna state. 

Muhammad Jalige, police spokesperson in Kaduna, confirmed the incident to TheCable, noting that the attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

Jalige said gunmen had earlier attacked a police station in Zaria but met stiff resistance from officers on duty.

“In the early hours of today, 4th July 2021, at about 0130hrs, suspected armed bandits in large number attacked the Divisional Police Headquarters, Saye Zaria LGA of Kaduna State, in an attempt to overrun the officers on duty, but met with a stiff resistance from the officers who were at alert as of the time of the attack,” he said.

“There was a heavy exchange of fire between the bandits and the Police personnel on duty, but the superior tactical and operational sagacity of the Police forced the bandits to retreat and took to their heels, some of which have escaped with bullet injuries.

“Unfortunately, as at the same period, some group of bandits were attacking the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy quarters at same Saye community, of which eight persons were kidnapped to an unknown destination.”

Jalige said, “23 empty shells, three live GPMG ammunition and 34 empty shells of 7.62x39mm ammunition” were recovered after the attack.

The police spokesperson said officers are on trail of the attackers to rescue the victims unhurt.

“The command had, so far, reinforced the Division with more tactical Operatives from Operation Puff Adder II, Anti-kidnapping Unit and Police Mobile Force, while IGP’s IRT and STS have been contacted for technical support with the mandate to ensure that the victims are rescued unhurt and possible arrest of the bandits to face the wrath of the law,” he added.