Gunmen Abduct Kano APC Chairman, Kill Two in Fresh Attack

Gunmen have abducted the All Progressives Congress Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Fanka, after invading the community and killing two residents who attempted to prevent his abduction. The attack occurred at about 11pm on Monday when the gunmen stormed the area and opened sporadic fire, forcing residents to flee for safety. According to a resident who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday on condition of anonymity, the two victims were killed while trying to stop the attackers from taking Fanka away. The resident said the assailants were heavily armed and overpowered those who attempted to intervene before whisking the APC chairman away. The latest incident has heightened concerns over the security situation in Kano State, where several communities have come under attack within a short period. The abduction came barely 24 hours after gunmen reportedly killed the APC Chairman of Rantan Ward in Bebeji Local Government Area, Alhaji Garba Buba, and another resident identified as Sulaiman Zunduma. The Rantan attack occurred on Sunday night when armed men invaded the community. The Kano State Police Command subsequently launched an investigation and began efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible. The incidents followed another attack in Chiromawa community, Garun Mallam Local Government Area, where suspected bandits abducted the Sarkin Noman Kano, Alhaji Yusif Nadabo, on Saturday night. Nadabo was later rescued by the police after security operatives and residents mounted a response to the attack. Three residents were reportedly injured during the operation. The three incidents occurred in neighbouring parts of Kano within approximately 72 hours, raising fresh concerns about the spread of kidnapping and armed attacks across communities in the state. The Federal Government has also acknowledged the growing security concerns. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, announced on Monday that the government was developing a five-year defence and security plan following the recent attacks in Kano. However, as of the time of PUNCH’s report, attempts to obtain an official update from the Kano State Police Command were unsuccessful. Calls to the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, reportedly went unanswered, while a message sent to him had not received a response. The latest attack has renewed calls for stronger security measures and faster responses to criminal activities in vulnerable communities. For residents of Rogo and surrounding areas, attention is now focused on the safe return of Fanka and efforts by security agencies to track down those responsible for the attack. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the latest incident.