Gunmen kill student union leader on Kaduna airport-train station link road

A Kaduna student union leader, Comrade Auwal Rabiu, has been killed, as gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Friday night attacked motorists on the road linking the Kaduna international airport and the Rigasa train station.

The gunmen also injured one Umar Bn El-Khatab while one other person identified as Sani Digana is feared after he reportedly abducted during the attack.

Meanwhile, Kaduna state government while confirming the incident said security operatives repelled the attacks and rescued two persons, Sahabi Lawal and Dan Aliko.

Blueprint learnt that the three men were inside a vehicle when the gunmen fired at them around 9pm on Friday along the Kaduna airport link road to Rigasa station of the Kaduna-Abuja train in Igabi local government area of the state.

A youth leader in Rigasa Abdul’azeez Madugu popularly known as Dan Dubai said the deceased’s funeral prayer took place around 8am Saturday at their family home in the area.

“Late Auwal Rabiu is the current President of Rigasa old students Association and the three of them were returning from Rigachikun area around 9pm when the gunmen opened fire on their vehicle.

“Auwal was the one driving and the bullet hits him and he died. But Umar El-khatab was shot on the leg while the third person Sani  was abducted,” Madugu said, while explaining that gunmen have always attacked the route at night targeting vehicles plying the route.

Kaduna state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Saturday said the deceased and his friends were hit by stray bullets of the bandits.

Aruwan said, “The security agencies have informed the Kaduna state government that they have repelled armed bandits on Friday night in Igabi local government area. 

“According to the agencies, the armed bandits ambushed troops and security operatives patrolling Rigasa-Link Road at Rugar Bello Junction. The operatives rescued two persons, Sahabi Lawal and Dan Aliko while Sani Khalil is still missing. 

“Similarly, the Armoured Personnel Carrier of the police was riddled with bullets as it can be seen in the attached pictures. The bandits who were denied freedom of action escaped, while stray bullets hit two citizens driving from the Mando axis of the Rigasa-Link Road into.

“The two citizens were rushed to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital but sadly, one of them, one Rabiu Awwal died while the second citizen, Umar El-Khattab is responding to treatment. 

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has sent a condolence to the deceased’s family and offered prayers for the repose of his soul. The governor wishes the citizen recuperating a speedy recovery. 

“The governor also commended troops and police personnel that repelled the armed bandits and rescue of two citizens. The troops and police are still carrying out aggressive patrols in the general area.  The government will continue to keep citizens informed of security development.”

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