Hyacinth Chinweuba
Suspected kidnappers had on Wednesday abducted the wife and child of a reporter with the Voice of America in Kaduna.
The abductors also killed a member of staff of Federal Road Safety Commission who rushed out to help the victims.
The reporter, Malam Nasir Birnin-Yero, said that the abductors, about 30 in number, attacked his residence in Birnin Yero, near Kaduna at about 1:30 am.
Birnin-Yero said: “They came to my house at about 1:30 am. I was not at home then but they forced themselves into my house and asked my wife of my whereabouts and she told them I was not at home.
“They vandalized my television set and refrigerator before taking my wife and son insisting that they must take them to where I was.
“One of my neighbours, who works with the FRSC, Sabitu Abdulhamid was shot dead by the kidnappers when he rushed out in an attempt to save my family.
“The kidnappers have not made any contact yet.”
The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Umar Ibrahim, confirmed the death of the corps personnel and described the incident as very unfortunate.
Ibrahim described the deceased as a very hard working person, who was also a member of the community’s vigilante.
He said: “I am just coming back from the burial. It is a sad day for members of his family and the entire FRSC family.”