7 Foreigners Kidnapped in Northern Nigeria

Police say seven foreign construction workers were kidnapped and one Nigerian guard was killed during an attack on a police station, a prison and an international construction company in Bauchi State in northern Nigeria.  



They say “hoodlums” kidnapped four Lebanese construction workers along with three Europeans - one Greek, one British and one Italian - after killing a civilian guard at their company's compound.

Bauchi State Police spokesperson Hassan Muhammed Auyo says the attacks started Saturday night, shortly after 9 p.m.  He says the attackers tossed explosives into the police station and officers fought back.  Two cars were destroyed, gunfire was exchanged, and the gunmen moved on to their next target: the local prison.

“After fire for fire with hoodlums they couldn’t succeed," said Auyo. "They proceed into prison yard in the same Jama'are area to attack with the intent of freeing the inmates there. But unfortunately to them, and fortunately to us we also repelled that attack.”

Auyo says the gunmen then fled to the compound of Setraco Nigeria Ltd., an international construction company, and killed a civilian security guard before kidnapping the seven foreign staff members.

Auyo says as of Sunday afternoon, the location of the victims was not known.

“The investigation is ongoing to track where the fleeing suspects or the victims are," said Auyo. "For both the kidnappers and the victims, police are making a frantic effort to ensure that we get there and ensure them, God willing.”

No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings but Boko Haram, a northern Nigerian Islamist militant group is known for targeting prisons and police stations.
However, some locals say they believe the perpetrators were motivated by money, not extremism. They say the raid on the police station and prison was intended to distract security forces so they could kidnap the foreigners, a practice that has long earned kidnappers millions of dollars in Nigeria.

Boko Haram is a shadowy militant group that has been blamed for more than 3,000 deaths since it began its insurgency in 2009. Late last month, what is believed to be a faction of the group announced a unilateral cease-fire, but violence in northern Nigeria continues.

Posted: at 17-02-2013 06:55 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

Just a repetition of what happened in Katsina. Sabotage by the enemies of the north.

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Posted: at 17-02-2013 08:21 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

ok

Posted: at 17-02-2013 09:04 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

6th to comment, na them sabi

Posted: at 17-02-2013 09:27 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

 

Posted: at 17-02-2013 09:37 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

I WONDER OOO ; THAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY MIND AFTER READING THIS POST;;; WHAT ARE THEY STILL DOING IN THESE DESERTS? WHAT TYPE OF LOVE OF MONEY IS THAT??;; CONSTRUCTION; FOR WHATEVER REASON; BE IT FOR MONEY OR TERRORISM;; THESE NORTHERN DESERTS SHOULD BE DESERTED COMPLETELY:::::: WORKING IN BAUCHI ::UNDER THE GUARD OF ONE SECURITY MAN;

Posted: at 17-02-2013 09:55 PM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Now we can authoritatively say there is more hooligans in d north more than d south. Hnnnn GOD help d few honest ones there,

Posted: at 17-02-2013 10:26 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

OO my God this ppl are at it again i pray and hope they don't kill the foreigners

Posted: at 17-02-2013 11:33 PM (11 years ago) | Hero

                  nawa o,, asif gift de for commenting early.... Well our northern brothers una no get shame?? Why allow politicians use you guys while their children school and work peacefully abroad??? advice no be course,, tell them to send down their children to commit these crimes you no go see them,, so stop wasting your lifes and others.. NIGERIA MUST BE BETTER!!!!!

Posted: at 18-02-2013 12:06 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

Please, help me tell your militants and kidnappers same. Thanks in anticipation of your cooperation.

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Posted: at 18-02-2013 12:14 AM (11 years ago) | Hero