Three farmers have been reported kidnapped and another killed by bandits in Kurgin Gabas community in the western part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Birnin Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU) said bandits have since September 1 blocked the Birnin-Gwari-Funtua Highway and confiscated over 30 vehicles, including big trucks.

BEPU in a statement issued yesterday by its chairman, Ishaq Usman Kasai, also said that many travellers abducted on September 1 were yet to be released.

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“Another disturbing scenario is that the bandits have carted away all the goods contained in the trapped vehicles and people were forced to pay huge amounts of money ranging from N300,000 to N1 million in order to retrieve their trapped vehicles,” BEPU lamented, adding that the bandits charged the vehicle owners depending on the size and nature of the vehicles.

“BEPU is therefore appealing for mobilisation of troops to ensure opening of Birnin-Gwari-Funtua Road and for retrieval of the trapped vehicles unconditionally.”