The Kaduna State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the kidnap of eight-person at the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy (NTLC) Quarters, in Zaria town of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Jalige confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.
Crystal News gathered that bandits stormed NTLC from a nearby forest. They engaged police officers in a gun battle before they escaped with their victims.
The area where the kidnap occurred, known as Saye District in the outskirts of Zaria, is close to notorious Sabon Birni, Galadima and Malu Forests where armed bandits keep their victims hostage.
Reacting to the attack, Jalige said, in the early hours of Sunday at about 1.30 am, suspected bandits in large number attacked a Divisional Police Headquarters, in the Saye area in Zaria.
“In an attempt to overrun the officers on duty, they met stiff resistance as there was heavy exchange of fire between the bandits and the police personnel on duty.
“Unfortunately as at the same period, some groups of bandits were attacking the National Centre for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Quarters at same Saye, of which eight persons were kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination,” he said.
He disclosed that 23 empty shells and three live GPMG ammunition, as well as 34 empty shells of 7.62x39mm ammunition, were recovered from the scene.
He said efforts had been intensified to rescue the abducted persons.
