From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi Unknown gunmen on rampage in Bauchi have abducted a 26 year-old boy in Itas Gadau LGA, shot a vigilante in Soro, and have attacked a policeman and taking away his rifle in Miya town in Ganjuwa LGA of Bauchi state. A statement issued and signed by the Bauchi state Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, DSP Mohammed Haruna made available to newsmen in Bauchi, at the weekend. According to the statement, on May 1, at about 1 am, one Habu Yusuf, 26 years’ old, of Unguwan Gambo, Itas Gadau LGA, was abducted in front of his house by unknown persons. It stated that as soon as the complaint was made, police detectives swung into action and one Umar S.D Mohammed, of Jama’are, was arrested and the victim was rescued from an uncompleted building in Jama’are town. The statement further said unknown persons attacked a policeman on guard duty at the residence of Speaker, Bauchi state House of Assembly, at Miya town in Ganjuwa LGA and took away his rifle. It stated that the policeman was rushed to the hospital and is responding to treatment. The police also revealed that on Saturday, some unknown gunmen entered the residence of Sarkin Bindiga, in Soro town, and shot a vigilante man, called Wada, in his stomach and was rushed to ATBU Teaching Hospital for medical attention. The PPRO said “no arrest was made, but efforts are on to track-down the suspects of this dastardly act and that all the incidents are under investigation”.

A 36 year-old farmer, Omotayo Ibrahim, who allegedly attempted to burn down a building and breached public peace, was on Friday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

The accused, of No. 17, Cole St., Elegbata, Lagos Island, is facing trial on a two-count charge bordering on an attempt to commit arson and manner likely to breach public peace.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Ighodalo, said that the offences were committed on April 29, at 2.00 a.m., at his residence.

Ighodalo said the accused had always threatened to burn down the building, kill the occupants and had broken down the door leading to the house twice.

He said the accused, on April 29, locked the entrance into the building of the above-mentioned address, and threatened to burn it down.

Ighodalo said the occupants had to invite members of the vigilance group in the neighbourhood to plead with the accused to open the entrance gate, and later invited the police.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 166(d) and 340 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Ibrahim, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mrs. Olaitan Ajayi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties, in like sum. She adjourned the case till May 9, for further hearing. (NAN)