Panic and anxiety have gripped residents of Kaura Namoda following the abduction of six students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, by suspected bandits who attacked their off-campus residence in the early hours of the day.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped when armed assailants stormed a students’ lodge situated on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town, raising fresh concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Zamfara State.
Security agencies have since launched a coordinated rescue operation aimed at securing the safe release of the abducted students and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
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Confirming the incident, the member representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Hon. Mannir Haidara Kaura, disclosed that security personnel were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
“The incident occurred, and security operatives are currently carrying out rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students,” the lawmaker said.
A student of the institution, Ibrahim Ahmad, revealed that one of the students initially abducted alongside the others managed to escape from the captors shortly after the incident.
According to him, the student successfully fled, leaving behind three male and three female students who remain in captivity.
The latest abduction has further heightened fears among students and residents, especially as educational institutions in the state continue to grapple with security challenges associated with banditry and kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured the public that intensive efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims unharmed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, stated that the attack occurred at a private residence occupied by students outside the institution’s main campus.
He explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the incident may have been facilitated by an open door left unattended during the night.
According to him, one of the students reportedly stepped outside the residence and inadvertently left the door open, creating an opportunity for the armed men who were allegedly passing through the area to gain access to the house.
“One of the students went outside during the night, claiming he wanted to urinate. In the process, he left the door open. Coincidentally, bandits passing through the area entered the house and abducted the students,” Abubakar said.
The police spokesperson, however, reassured parents, students, and members of the public that the Federal Polytechnic campus itself remains secure.
He noted that adequate security measures have been put in place around the institution, making it difficult for criminal elements to infiltrate the school premises.
“The school premises have been fortified with adequate security personnel, making it extremely difficult for bandits to penetrate,” he added.
Abubakar further disclosed that operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), working alongside troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, had commenced a joint operation to rescue the abducted students and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Our VCRU personnel, together with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, are working to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students,” he stated.
As security agencies intensified efforts to locate the victims, a group known as Concerned Citizens of Kaura Namoda expressed deep concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation in the area.
In a statement, the group alleged that the persistent attacks were linked to the activities of a notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Bello Dansadiya, and members of his gang.
The group recalled previous kidnapping incidents within the locality, including the abduction of two senior lecturers who reportedly spent more than two months in captivity despite the payment of ransom.
It also cited the kidnapping of three residents and a district head from his residence located close to a military base, alleging that the victims remained in captivity.
According to the group, several kidnapped persons are allegedly being held in a known bandit enclave around Dajin Yamma, raising questions about the effectiveness of ongoing security operations in the area.
“Alarmingly, all these victims are reportedly still being held in a well-known bandit camp around Dajin Yamma, yet no rescue operations have taken place. Where are the fighter jets and armoured vehicles?” the group queried.
The latest abduction has renewed calls for stronger security measures across Zamfara State, particularly around educational institutions and student residential areas, as residents continue to demand decisive action against criminal gangs operating in the region.
Parents, students, and community leaders have also appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted students and restoring confidence among residents.
As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing, while anxious families awaited positive news regarding the fate of the abducted students.