Kaduna-Abuja highway: el-Rufai’s security aides engage kidnappers in shoot-out

Guns boomed on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Wednesday as security aides of Governor Nasir el-Rufai engaged suspected kidnappers in a shoot-out.
Before the arrival of the governor’s convoy, scores of motorists were forced to park along the highway, following blockage of the road by kidnappers.
They were eventually saved when el-Rufai’s convoy arrived the scene.
The arrival of the governor about 3:45 pm, made the kidnappers to evacuate after wounding some of their victims.
It is not clear whether any of the motorists were abducted, but according to Samuel Aruwan, the governor’s spokesman, El-Rufai ordered the evacuation of those injured to hospital for medical attention.
Aruwan said the governor was on his way to Abuja, but on getting to Akilubu village around 3:40pm, he sighted dozens of vehicles parked by citizens, who said kidnappers had blocked the road ahead.
Security operatives in the governor’s convoy then advanced, with their guns blazing and cleared the road of the criminals who fled into the forest.
‘After clearing the road, Governor El-Rufai directed that travellers wounded by the criminals be rushed to the nearest hospital.
“The governor also directed security agencies to intensify patrols and permanently clear the road of bandits,” he added.