Chief Joshua Ahmadu, the district chief of Chawai in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
On Wednesday, Mr. Abel Adamu, President of the Chawai Development Association (CDA), confirmed that he had been kidnapped.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Raphael Joshua, Public Relations Officer of CDA, Adamu was abducted Tuesday night “by unknown gunmen who invaded his house at Zambina.”
“It was reported that around 9:30 p.m., the kidnappers stormed the traditional ruler’s house and took him away,” Adamu was quoted as saying.
He expressed his dismay at the situation while assuring residents that the CDA was working hard to ensure the victim’s safe release.
“Already, relevant authorities and heads of security operatives on special duty in the chiefdom have been duly informed and have already swung into action to rescue the traditional ruler.
“We are asking all Tsam sons and daughters to pray for the safe return of the district head.”
The statement urged the chiefdom’s youth to always take communal security seriously in order to avoid such breaches.
“We have to be on our feet to ensure the land is safe.
“It’s unfortunate that at this critical time, the youths, who ought to be the communal force to guarantee security across communities, are not ready to work in collaboration with security personnel to secure the land,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the CDA boss appealed to the government to direct security agencies to ensure that the district head was rescued and released “unconditionally.”
Personnel of the Police Area Command in Kafanchan have since visited the family of the victim and assured them of their readiness to “do everything possible” to rescue the traditional ruler.