There is confusion over the number of Sokoto-bound commuters abducted by bandits in Zamfara State on Sunday.
The commuters were travelling from Kano to Sokoto on Sokoto State Transport Authority buses when they were abducted along the Sokoto-Gusau road, The Herald learnt.
Although the Zamfara State Police Command said on Monday that one bus was attacked with 11 passengers kidnapped, witnesses said that three buses were attacked and at least 60 passengers were abducted.
The Sokoto State Transport Authority however said it was still compiling the passengers’ manifest to establish the exact number of abductees.
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A witness, Mohammed Yusuf, said he almost became a victim as the bandits blocked the road near Dogon Karfe around 3 pm.
The motorist stated that three buses were attacked and all passengers aboard were abducted.
“They (bandits) suddenly came out of their hiding and started shooting in the air, thereby forcing the vehicles to stop.
“They abducted all the passengers in the three vehicles belonging to the Sokoto State Transport Authority, as well as the drivers,” Vanguard quoted Yusuf to have said.
Speaking on the incident, the General Manager of Sokoto State Transport Authority (SSTA), Yahuza Chika, said it was the first time any of their buses would come under attack.
He said that the agency was still compiling the manifest of passengers to establish the total numbers of passengers abducted in the vehicles.
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Zamfara, Shehu Mohammed denied that all passengers in three buses were whisked away by the bandits.
“Only a bus with 12 passengers was hijacked and the driver has been rescued while the Police are working hard to rescue the remaining 11 passengers,” he said.