Bandits abduct APC chairman, kill 2 in Kano

Suspected bandits have abducted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano state, Alhaji Abdullahi Fanka Beli, following a late-night attack on Beli community that reportedly left two residents dead.

The incident, which occurred on Monday night, has heightened tension across the community and raised fresh concerns over the safety of political leaders and residents in rural parts of Kano State. Blueprint reports

The attackers reportedly stormed Beli community, near Zarewa, at about 11pm and opened sporadic fire as they moved towards the residence of the APC chairman.

Gunmen invade chairman’s residence

According to residents familiar with the incident, the gunmen forced their way into Fanka Beli’s residence shortly after he returned from a political engagement in nearby Zarewa community.

The attackers were said to have whisked him away from his family and fled the area despite attempts by residents to resist the operation.

The Kano State APC Publicity Secretary, Auwalu Sojo, confirmed the abduction, saying the chairman was taken from his family in Beli village and remained in the custody of his abductors.

Two residents reportedly killed

The attack reportedly turned deadly when some residents attempted to prevent the gunmen from taking the APC chairman away.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said two people were killed after confronting the heavily armed attackers.

According to the source, the residents were unable to stop the operation because the assailants were in possession of sophisticated weapons and opened fire at those who tried to intervene.

Other accounts put the casualty figure at one person killed, while some reports said an Almajiri was shot dead during the attack. The conflicting casualty figures could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The attack reportedly sent residents fleeing into nearby areas, with many said to have remained indoors following the incident because of fears of further attacks.

Suspect arrested after attackers flee

The attackers were reportedly said to have escaped towards Babbarika village, abandoning three motorcycles along the route.

On Tuesday morning, residents reportedly became suspicious of a man seen asking questions about the abandoned motorcycles. The man, identified by residents as a Fulani man who spoke Fulfulde, was detained and subsequently handed over to the police.

His mobile phones were reportedly seized by residents, who suspected that he might have had links with the attackers or possessed information about the operation. However, there was no official confirmation that the man was involved in the abduction.

The circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest and the extent of his alleged connection with the attackers remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Fresh attack in wave of violence

The abduction of the Rogo APC chairman occurred barely 24 hours after another attack targeting an APC official in neighbouring Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.

On Sunday night, gunmen reportedly attacked Rantan community in Bebeji, killing the APC Chairman of Rantan Ward, Alhaji Garba Buba, alongside another resident identified as Sulaiman Zunduma.

The two incidents have raised concerns over what residents and political stakeholders described as an emerging pattern of attacks against political and community figures in parts of Kano State.

Earlier attack on Kano traditional figure

The latest incident also came days after gunmen attacked Chiromawa community in Garun Mallam Local Government Area, where the Sarkin Noman Kano, Alhaji Yusif Nadabo, was reportedly abducted.

Nadabo was later rescued following a security response, adding to the series of security incidents recorded in different communities across the state within a short period.

The succession of attacks has intensified calls for improved security presence, intelligence gathering and rapid response in rural communities considered vulnerable to attacks by armed groups.

Security agencies yet to give details

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had not publicly provided detailed information on the operation or the whereabouts of the abducted APC chairman.

The APC leadership in the state, however, has confirmed the abduction and security agencies are reportedly working to locate and rescue Fanka Beli.

The development has continued to generate anxiety among residents of Rogo and neighbouring communities, particularly amid fears that the recent attacks could further undermine security and political activities in the affected areas.

The whereabouts of the APC chairman and his condition remained unknown as of the time of filing this report, while residents and political associates await further information from the security agencies.