How woman led kidnappers to abduct village head in Niger

Residents of Zhibi, a remote community under Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State, were still in shock, one week after their village head was abducted by a gang of kidnappers said to have been led into his palace by a woman. Malam Muhammadu Dahiru was abducted penultimate Monday some minutes after 11 pm, by […]

Residents of Zhibi, a remote community under Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State, were still in shock, one week after their village head was abducted by a gang of kidnappers said to have been led into his palace by a woman.

Malam Muhammadu Dahiru was abducted penultimate Monday some minutes after 11 pm, by about 15 gunmen.

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A younger brother to the victim, Ibrahim Dahiru, told North Central Trust he was informed of the incident late that night.

“I proceeded to the village immediately, only to discover that the kidnappers have already left with him, and also injured two of the area’s vigilante, who rushed to the palace on hearing gunshots.”

He said the two vigilantes were taken to the Sabo-Wuse General Hospital along Abuja-Kaduna highway and had since been discharged.

Another member of the family, who craved anonymity, explained how the female member of the gang led the kidnappers into the rooms of the monarch’s four wives, looking for him.

“She told her colleagues the status of each wife. The woman was dressed like a man with a mask and could only be identified through her physical structure and her voice.

“They later located the village head and left with him immediately. They did not allow him to even dress properly,’’ she added.

North Central Trust reports that a team of soldiers and police had visited the community about four times since the abduction took place.

“They walked to the nearby hills close to our community, during one of the visits, but he is yet to be located,’’ said a resident.

A family source said the kidnappers made their first contact with the family three days after the incident demanding N65 million. “But they have since reduced the amount to N25 million and when we asked for less, they insisted that the amount should be provided or we should expect the worst.

“They said they are aware that our brother was involved in selling government land and therefore, has the money to meet their demand,’’ the source added.

Efforts to speak to the Suleja Police Area Commander, ACP Sani Badarawa, were not successful, as he did not respond to phone calls by our reporter.