Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle

The Zamfara State Director of Budget, Alhaji Hamza Salihu has been kidnapped by some gunmen near Kachia, Kaduna State while on his way to Akwanga in Nasarawa State. His deputy, Alhaji Kabiru Ismail was shot dead by the gunmen.

A statement issued by Yusuf Idris, the Director-General, Press Affairs to the State Governor, Bello Matawalle in Gusau  expressed sadness over the incident:

“Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Matawalle has described as terrible and disturbing, Sunday afternoon abduction of the state’s Director of Budget, Alhaji Hamza Salihu who was abducted along with two other persons near Kachia in Kaduna State while on their way to Akwanga in Nasarawa State on an official trip.

“It is very unfortunate that while efforts are being strengthened to stop armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other crimes peacefully without any bloodshed, some bad elements who have chosen to remain unrepentant will still use security uniforms to stop and kidnap unsuspecting law-abiding citizens,” the statement said.

Similarly, a female passenger in the vehicle was reported to have been shot in the leg and abandoned at the kidnap scene in the pool of blood by the abductors.