ZAMFARA: Unanswered questions shroud kidnap of Bungudu Emir
The kidnap claimed the life of one police officer and the loss of two AK-47 riffles to the bandits, an act that could likely put the life of the governor, who has been fighting the bandits in danger. These issues and perhaps more others should be fully investigated, especially when the emir, as we pray, regains his freedom.
Mixed reactions and unanswered questions are trailing the kidnap of the Emir of Bungudu in Zamfara state, Hassan Attahiru.
The Emir was kidnapped last Wednesday after he passed Kaduna on his way to Abuja.
Although activities of kidnappers are established on Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, Attahiru’s abduction was an operation that is shrouded in mystery that requires in-depth investigation.
Recall that the state governor, Bello Muhammad has severally alleged the involvement of security personnel in some crimes in the state.
He has even facilitated the arrest of security personnel among others for having their hands smeared in armed banditry, kidnapping and other crimes being perpetrated in his state.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Oladayo Amao, recently had warned security personnel to steer clear from security breaches to avoid the the consequences that will follow, it will be recalled.
Our reporter reliably gathered that the Emir of Bungudu always travels in a motorcade of between three and five cars; and was fully prepared to undertake his trip on the fateful day he was kidnapped.
However, an impeccable source said that an unofficial call from the Government House in Zamfara, changed the Emir’s travel arrangement.
The source confirmed that one of the governor’s top security aides called and told the Emir to drop all his vehicles; that he had made alternative arrangement from the seat of power; and that a vehicle would come to pick him.
The source further said that “with the information coming from a senior security officer under the governor therefore, the emir waited. He was later told that a Hilux Toyota vehicle, which was also confirmed to have been on the fleet of one of the governor’s wives, had come to convey him to Abuja.”
Although no one confirmed that the Emir was trailed from his take-off point, “the big question is why was his motorcade abruptly and unofficially changed? Why should a security man exercise such powers on an Emir?
“One is made to feel a missing link, especially because the kidnap operation was carried on only on the emir and at a time when the traffic on the other lane of the road moved freely.”
Source revealed that directives for the Emir to abandon his travel arrangement came from one of the governor’s senior security officers, possibly without the consent of his principal, governor Mohammed Bello.
The kidnap claimed the life of one police officer and the loss of two AK-47 riffles to the bandits, an act that could likely put the life of the governor, who has been fighting the bandits in danger.
These issues and perhaps more others should be fully investigated, especially when the emir, as we pray, regains his freedom.
