The Chairman of Bebeji Plaza Phone Market in Gusau, Mustapha Khalifa, has said over 50 traders in the market have been abducted by bandits Saturday evening.
He said all of those abducted were either shop owners or shop attendants in the market.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that Bebeji Plaza is the biggest phones and phones accessories market in Zamfara state and there over 200 shops in the market.
“So far, seven people have returned because we learnt they ran into the bush when the bandits struck but over fifty of our people are nowhere to be found,” he told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE through phone.
He said a team of vigilante group members helped in tracking the seven survivors who were seen wandering in the bush Saturday night after the attack.
“We have also learnt that some that were shot by the bandits have been receiving treatment in General Hospital Talata Mafara because it was the nearest functioning health center. We’ll send a delegation to go and compile their names.
“We’ve informed the police commissioner and the security and home affairs Commissioner and they have all promised to rescue our people,” he said.
Mr Khalifa said the abducted passengers were returning to Gusau after attending a wedding ceremony of one of their friends who is also a member of the Bebeji Plaza Phone Market when the gunmen struck.
A survivor who only gave his name as Bello said the convoy of two buses came under heavy gun attack in Dogon Awo immediately after Bimasa village.
“Immediately we reached Dogon Awo, the bandits started shooting sporadically which made our drivers to stop. The bandits couldn’t be more than ten because I saw them. It was some minutes before five O’clock. When they started shouting that we should come out, I decided to run into the bush and although one of the bandits followed me, he couldn’t catch me and I kept running for my life,” he said.
The Zamfara state government through the Director General New Media, Government House, Ibrahim Bello Zauma confirmed the abduction in a short statement.
