Commercial bus driver, Joshua Atara, has been shot dead and eight travellers abducted after bandits attacked a vehicle at Sabon-Kurutu junction in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack occurred on Saturday at about 4:12 pm, according to a resident of the Sabon-Kurutu community, Muazu Garba, Daily Trust reports.
Garba said the driver was conveying passengers from the Hayin-Dam community to Katari when armed men suddenly emerged from the bush and opened fire on the vehicle.
He explained that the driver was killed during the attack, while the passengers were taken away into the forest by the assailants.
A community leader in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident and shed more light on how the attack was carried out.
He stated that the gunmen deliberately targeted the driver in order to force the vehicle to a halt before carrying out the abduction.
“Some of the passengers traveling to Katari were abducted instantly. Security operatives have since been alerted,” he said.
A police source in the area confirmed that the attack took place but said he was not aware if the driver was killed.
Efforts to get official confirmation were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansur Hassan, could not be reached for comments on the incident.
Sahara Reporters