Gunmen Kill 2, Abduct Frenchman

Gunmen on Wednesday, abducted a French construction worker, killed two persons and attacked a police station, in Rimi in Katsina State, Commissioner of Police in the state Abdullahi Magaji has confirmed.

Magaji said yesterday in Katsina that the gunmen attacked the police station to divert attention, as their main target was the abduction of the expatriate supervisor handling a mill project in Rimi.

Magaji also said that a mobile policeman sustained injuries during the attack and currently receiving treatment in a hospital adding that “one gun belonging to the hoodlums was recovered and we are going to arrest them”.

According to the eyewitness, the gunmen arrived in three cars and split into three groups to carry out the attacks simultaneously.

“Although the police station was devastated, no one was killed or injured there,” according to the eye-witness.

Gunmen bomb police station, abduct Frenchman in Katsina

Two people were Killed and a mobile policeman injured in the attack, which occurred at about 10.00 pm on Wednesday.

Those killed were Rabe Dan’Unguwa (45), a security man at the residence of Colump, and one Abubakar Sale (25), a passer-bye.

The abducted Frenchman works with S. A. Vergnet France, the firm handling the contract for the 10 megawatt wind mill power project in Rimi.

According to an eyewitness, the attackers arrived the town in three vehicles and began shooting before setting off the bomb which badly damaged the station. The mobile police man was injured in the attack on the Frenchman’s residence.

It was gathered that as soon as they shot the trio, the gunmen forced themselves into the residence and abducted the Frenchman.

Ala who described the incident as “tragic”, prayed God to expose those involved in the act.

When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji confirmed the incident, saying that the gunmen used a gas cylinder to bomb the police station.

“Their purpose was to kidnap the expatriate, Mr Colump, but they attacked the police station to divert attention.”

Magaji said two civilians were killed while the mobile policeman injured in the attack was receiving treatment at a hospital in Katsina.

“One gun belonging to the hoodlums was recovered and we are going to pursue them.”