By Omoniyi David
Suspected bandits on Tuesday morning invaded Filin Canada Quarters in Sabuwar Unguwa, Katsina metropolis, killing a vigilante and abducting a businessman, his pregnant wife, and their daughter.
The assailants, numbering about seven, stormed the residence of 33-year-old businessman, Anas Ahmadu, around 3:00 a.m., whisking him away along with his seven-month pregnant wife, Halimat, and their daughter, Jidda.
Halimat is the daughter of Katsina businessman, Alhaji Usman Turare, a petroleum marketer who owns several filling stations.
A 25-year-old vigilante, Abdullahi Muhammad, who responded to a distress call during the attack, was shot dead by the gunmen.
Witnesses said the attackers scaled the fence, broke into the house, and spoke in low tones, fueling suspicions of insider collaboration.
Family sources disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted Halimat’s uncle, though it remains unclear whether a ransom was demanded.
Confirming the incident, police spokesman DSP Abubakar Sadiq said the Divisional Police Officer and his team responded swiftly and restored calm.
He added that Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, alongside senior officers, visited the scene and deployed more personnel to track the attackers and rescue the victims.
“The command urges residents to report suspicious activities for prompt action. All information will be treated with confidentiality,” Sadiq said.
The incident has heightened fear among residents, who lamented that such an attack could occur within the city after nearly two years of relative peace. They called on government and security agencies to intensify efforts, warning that informants may be aiding criminals inside the metropolis.
