—My Wife And Baby Are Innocent, Victim’s Husband Cries

Gunmen, on Monday night, kidnapped a 40-year-old woman, Kadijah Audu-Ardo, of Tsamiya village and her baby in Bauchi State.

A statement by the personnel of the Joint Task Force, stationed in Boi, Bogoro Local Government Area, which was made available to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, confirmed the incident.

The statement reads: “At about 12:00hours, villagers reported to our office the kidnapped case involving one Kadijah Audu Ardo by heavily armed gunmen.

“We quickly mobilised our personnel and moved to the community. As I am talking to you we are doing everything possible to secure the life of the woman and her baby.”

The Punch also quoted a resident of Tsamiya village as saying, concerning the kidnap case, “We are living in fear since this incident took place yesterday (Monday). The gunmen came in the late hours of the night and took away Khadija and her baby.

The medium also quoted Khadija’s husband, Audu Ardo, as saying: “I am not aware anything is about to happen. I was not at home when they came. I want to appeal to the kidnappers to please release my wife and my baby, they are innocent,” he pleaded.

The village head of Boi, Bala Likita, described the incident as shocking.

He said, “I’m shocked that for the first time, kidnappers have gained access to my domain. May God protect us.”