Bandits who kidnapped six Assistant Superintendents of Police in northern Nigeria have demanded a ransom of N100m for their release.

 

They were kidnapped in Katsina State about a week ago on their way from Maiduguri in Bornu State to Zamfara on posting.

 

They were among nine newly promoted ASPs who were attached to the Mobile Police Squadron 6, Maiduguri.

 

A police source explained that, as the nine ASPs planned to travel to  Zamfara State together,  one of them changed his mind at the last minute while the others embarked on the trip in a commercial bus.

 

“When they were released to go to Zamfara, they scheduled a day for the trip from Maiduguri, but one of them said he wasn’t comfortable with the trip and declined to join them. He said he had something to do and promised to join them in Zamfara later,” the source said.

 

 “So, the eight others left, but on getting to Kano, the driver said he couldn’t continue the journey to Zamfara, because his vehicle had developed a fault.

 

They joined another vehicle and on their way around Dongodaji in Katsina State, the bandits accosted and kidnapped them.

 

“While being taken away, two of them escaped and one of them was shot in the leg though he didn’t die. He found himself at a village and the villagers took him to a police station and he was taken to a hospital. The other six officers are still with the bandits who are demanding N100m ransom.”

 

Nigeria is currently witnessing a wave of kidnapping and other violent crimes.