At least eight residents have been reportedly kidnapped by bandits in a fresh attack on Agwan Fulani in the Kwakwashi community of Niger State on Tuesday.

The PUNCH, quoting a resident identified as Joseph Ake, reports that nine people were initially abducted but one (identity unknown) escaped and got injured in the process.

He said, “The bandits came around 1am. That was when the sound of gunshots started renting the air. They did that till they left.

“The bandits took the manager of a hotel in the area and a guest and the lady with him.

“In a family, they took a brother and sister; they went from house to house and picked one each. They would either take the wife and leave behind the husband or they take the husband and leave behind the wife.

“They initially took nine people with them but one of them escaped. He got injured in the process and he is at the hospital receiving treatment. The rest are with them. Their families are waiting for them to be contacted.

“They specifically demanded the mobile phones of everyone they took with them.

“Policemen came after they left and looked around. They, after some time, came back and called a community meeting.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abiodun Wasiu, confirmed the incident but did not give details on the attack.

He added that tactical teams have been deployed for search and rescue operation.