21 Abducted Teenagers in Katsina regains Freedom

21 children abducted by bandits on Sunday while working on a farm in Mairuwa community, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.has been released, as confirmed by Katsina police.

Police spokesman in the state, SP Gambo Isa, announced their release on Saturday in a statement, but did not state whether ransom was paid or not

According to him, the victims comprising 17 girls and four boys have since been reunited with their respective families as investigations continue.

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“It is with great joy that I announce the release of all the 21 abducted workers that were kidnapped while working in a farmland at Kamfanin Mai Lafiya village, Faskari LGA of Katsina state. They have been reunited with their families. Investigation is ongoing please,” the statement said.

Earlier on Friday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in a statement signed by its country’s representative, Ms Cristian Munduate, had challenged the federal government to ensure the release of the children without delay.

The children were abducted on Sunday by bandits who alleged that the community had failed to pay protection fees before embarking on harvesting their farm produce.

Meanwhile, Two persons have been reportedly killed in an ambush by suspected armed herdsmen in Zongo Akiki community in the North Bank area of Makurdi town.

It was gathered that the victims ran into the ambush in their community Saturday morning while on their way to the farm.

The attack came about 48 hours after a similar attack claimed 18 lives in the neighboring Guma Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

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Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Makurdi LGA, Mrs. Eunice Torbunde disclosed that the third victim was lucky to have escaped alive.

According to her, “the victims were said to be on their way to their farm to harvest their yams at Zongo Akiki not knowing that the armed herdsmen had laid ambushed for them. Two of them were shot and killed while the third person was lucky to have escaped alive.”

While lamenting the unending mayhem being unleashed on communities in the state by armed herdsmen, Mrs. Torbunde advised, the people to always be vigilant.

He also advised the farming populace to always go to the farms in groups in order to avoid being easily ambushed by the marauders.