No fewer than four people have been abducted by bandits who invaded a low-cost project quarters in Dutsen Reme, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to residents, the incident happened around 10 pm on Friday.

Ahmed Ridwan, a resident of Dutsen Reme low-cost housing estate, told Daily Trust the bandits took advantage of rainfall and executed their mission without been challenged.

“We were informed through phone calls by villagers around Maska that bandits in large numbers were likely heading to our quarters and we immediately informed the police and military personnel. But when they arrived, the bandits had already abducted four people,” Ridwan said.

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Malam Lawal Hamisu Maska, who was absent when the bandits stormed his house, said his co-tenant, Bishir Shitu Sallau, an employee of the High Court in Funtua, was abducted along with one Safiyanu, a student of a college of education in Abuja.

“I was absent when the bandits came and forced their way into the main gate; Bishir and Safiyanu had already hidden their wives in a restroom, so when the bandits broke the door, they asked for the women but could not see them. Therefore, they went away with their husbands,” Maska said.

Due to the incident, Hamisu Maska said he would leave his house and the area forever.

“I am a medical practitioner and it was my job that brought me to Funtua from Maska. This incessant insecurity has left me with no option but to leave for my village,” he said.

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The bandits also abducted one Lauratu Jibril and her stepdaughter, after Malam Jibril, her husband, narrowly escaped.

Safarau Sanusi, the younger sister of the victim, said the bandits were at the quarters at 9:45 pm.

“Lauratu is newly married to Jibril and she spent not more than thirty days in the house before her abduction. When the husband sensed danger, he quickly jumped the fence and escaped,” Sanusi said.

According to the residents, the bandits had abducted two people at the same estate seven days earlier.

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In a related development, bandits numbering over 20 invaded Kabomo village in Bakori Local Government Area and abducted six people, including two pregnant women.

Salima Lawal, a wife of one of the victims, said the bandits struck at about 12:15 am on Tuesday and kidnapped six people in three different houses.

“My co-wife that is nine months pregnant was abducted along with her son, but they later released her around Huguma of Kafur LGA at about 3:00 am after so many kilometres of trekking,” Lawal said.

“They also kidnapped one Alhaji Sa’adu Gulafa, a metal scrap dealer, as well as another pregnant woman with her two children.”

Lawal added that her husband was in Lagos where he was making a living when the unfortunate incident happened.

SP Gambo Isah,  the police spokesman in Katsina, is yet to confirm the incidents.