Suspected bandits have abducted passengers travelling along Wawal Kaza–Dayi road in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, despite ongoing peace efforts in the state.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 16, when the hoodlums blocked a Sharoon vehicle conveying commuters from Zaria to Dutsinma.

Among those abducted were two 300-level students of Federal University Dutsin-Ma, identified as Onwe Esther Chiamaka and Noah Patience, both from the Department of Sociology. Also kidnapped was a male student, Goza Darios Doorchuji, of the Library Science Department.

On receiving a distress, security forces were promptly mobilized to scene, The area was cordoned off and during the operation, Doorchuji was rescued unhurt.

“Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe release of the two female students and to apprehend the perpetrators,” said security sources.

The incident comes despite renewed peace deals and assurances by authorities aimed at ending banditry in Katsina and other parts of the North-West. (Zagazola, excluding headline)