Bandits Kill Miyetti Allah Leader, Kidnap Wives, As Katsina Police Rescues 18 Victims

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Acting Chairman of the Katsina State Chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN, Amadu Surajo, has been killed by suspected banditry elements.

This is even as police on  Saturday night, January 4, 2025, announced the rescue of no fewer than 18 persons during a foiled a kidnap attempt.

The Katsina MACBAN leader was killed alongside two others during terrorists attack late on Saturday through the early hours of Sunday January, 5, 2025, in Mai Rana Community, in Kusada Local Council of Katsina State.

Several others were also reportedly injured by the suspected hoodlums who after killing the  MACBAN Chairman, equally abducted two of his wives and a daughter, a student at one of the public universities in the country.

However, one of his kidnapped wives, according to witness accounts has been released by the abductors.

Instructively, Surajo’s  predecessor in office ,Munir Lamido ,had gone missing early June last year in  rather hazy circumstances.

Surago who was then MACBAN Katsina State Chapter Secretary was asked to step in as the Acting Chairman following the sudden disappearance of Lamido.

Curiously, Lamido’s whereabouts were still unknown as at the time  his successor, Surajo, was killed Saturday night .

Since June 23, when he was declared missing by both the Katsina and Kaduna security agencies , only his personal effects, such as vehicle and handset phones have so far been recovered.

The killing of Surajo at a time the fate of his predecessor is yet to be resolved ,expectedly has generated tension and palpable anxiety both within his immediate community and Katsina state .

This is just as security has been enhanced in Mai Rana Village and environs ,within the Kusada Local Government to forstall a possible breakdown of law and order.

As at the time of reporting, the state Police Command and Katsina Government were yet to react to the incident.

But in a separate development, the Police informed that the  rescue of the 18 persons was sequel to a swift response to a distress call on the activities of some suspected hoodlums along the Funtua-Katsina -Gusau high way

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, ASP, the Katsina State Police Command  noted that the kidnapping attempt involved occupants of four vehicles.

“On January 3rd, 2025, at approximately 2130 hours, the Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters received intelligence regarding armed bandits, armed with AK-47 riffles and firing indiscriminately who had ambushed four vehicles along the Funtua to Gusau high way.

“The vehicles involved included a maroon Toyota Avensis  traveling from Batsari to Yankara Village, a white DAF truck, a Pacars Canter  truck ,and a green DAF vehicle, all making their way to Funtua .

“The suspected kidnappers targeted these vehicles in an effort to abduct the passengers on board .

“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO of Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly mobilized operatives to the scene where a gunfight ensured.

“The team successfully repelled the armed bandits attack and rescued all 18 victims unharmed”,  the police stated.

The Command has assured that efforts are underway to track down the fleeing hoodlums.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP , Aliyu Abubakar Musa , while lauding the gallantry of the operatives called for more support and  cooperation from the public in the efforts to adequately protect lives and properties of the people.