Some bandits, in the early hours of yesterday, raided the staff quarters of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre, Zaria, in Kaduna State and abducted seven, including a nursing mother.
It was learnt that the hoodlums also attacked the nearby Saye Police Divisional Headquarters, apparently to prevent officers from rescuing the victims.
The incident, a source said, happened around 12:30 am. According to the source, the bandits surrounded the quarters and succeeded in picking five staff and two others, including a nursing mother.
The source told newsmen that the bandits targeted the Principal of the centre who worked late into Saturday night.
Further investigation revealed that the gunmen, who also invaded the staff residential quarters of the centre, succeeded in forcing their way into the Principal’s house and three other residents before abducting the victims.
He added that the Police division was riddled with bullets by the bandits, adding “the operational Hi-lux van was damaged by the gunmen, who came in large numbers”.
The State Police Command confirmed the attack. Its spokesman, Mohammed Jalige, said the Command had launched an investigation into the matter and that efforts to rescue the victims unhurt were on.
