By Umar Sani
A former member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly and House of Representatives aspirant, Maryam Bagel, has raised concern over what she described as a resurgence of violent attacks in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State, following the killing of one resident and the abduction of four others in separate incidents within two weeks.
Bagel, in a statement posted on her Facebook page on Wednesday, called on security agencies and relevant authorities to take urgent steps to halt the growing insecurity before it escalates.
She alleged that the attacks occurred in Kagadama and Bagel villages, where suspected kidnappers carried out separate operations targeting residents.
According to her, four persons were abducted in Kagadama, while another resident was shot dead in Bagel in the presence of his wife and children.
"Four people were kidnapped in Kagadama village, and one person was killed in the presence of his own family in my village of Bagel," she stated.
Bagel disclosed that the first victim was a pharmacy owner in Kagadama, adding that the kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦50 million for his release.
She further alleged that a few days later, the gunmen returned and attacked another resident, identified as Shahibi, who had reportedly survived an earlier kidnapping about a year ago.
According to her, the attackers shot him multiple times in the chest and stomach in the presence of his family.
The former lawmaker also claimed that the assailants returned to Kagadama on Tuesday in another attempted abduction. She said their intended target escaped after they opened fire, but the attackers allegedly abducted three other persons, including a 10-year-old boy attending a shop, a young man who had just returned from the hospital and another resident.
Bagel appealed to security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations in Dass Local Government Area to prevent further attacks and reassure residents.
She warned against allowing criminal groups to gain a foothold in the area, expressing concern that Bauchi State could witness a return to the wave of kidnappings experienced in previous years if decisive action was not taken.
Reacting to the development, the Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incidents and assured residents that security operatives were working to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the Command had already deployed personnel to address the situation.
"Our men are aware of the situation and are on top of the matter. Protecting lives and property is our mandate, and we will not allow the wave of insecurity to take away the peace we enjoy in Bauchi State," he said.
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