2 feared killed as robbers attack VP’s wife’s NGO vehicle

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

An official car, with an inscription I- CARE Women and Children Initiative, belonging to the non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the wife of vice -president, Dr. Amina Namadi Sambo, was among several vehicles that was said to have been attacked,  when a gang of armed robbers blocked the Kaduna- Abuja Express way near Doka village robbing the passengers of their belonging at the weekend.

Two commuters are also said to have lost their lives while several others sustained injuries when vehicles plying the route rammed into each other.

Kaduna state Coordinator of NGO, Abdulrahman Mikailu, who was a victim and spoke from his hospital bed at St. Gerard Hospital in Kaduna yesterday, said his official vehicle was among the five unsuspecting vehicles that rammed into each other.

“Two bullets shot by the bandits missed me narrowly, when I tried to come out of my vehicle to put off the fire, not knowing that a robbery operation was going on. I had to duck and fall on the ground and  pretend to be dead.

“The robbers, who were in military uniform, thought I was dead, so they proceeded to my car and ordered my co-traveler to surrender all his money and laptops, handsets and other personal belongings of both of us.

“The fire was already raging as at the time of the attack; that is why the sympathizers could not put it off. I understand that, they killed two passengers in a ‘Sharon’ commercial vehicle and robbed several vehicles.

“I am lucky to have survived with bruises and chest injury from the impact of the accident, but I lost my phones and other belongings”, he said.

Another  victim, who is currently receiving treatment at the St. Gerald Hospital, told newsmen that   the accident occurred around 4 p.m. near Doka Hospital, along Abuja/Kaduna road.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Aminu Lawan said the multiple accidents were caused by panicked drivers who tried to reverse in the middle of the road.

He said so far, there was no official report of casualties in the incident. “But the Police also helped in putting off the fire and conveying some of the injured to the hospital,” he added.