From John Adams, Minna
The current nation wide fuel scarcity turned a different dimension on yesterday evening in Niger State when Gunmen, numbering about six, attacked a filling station in Pandogari town in Rafi Local Government Area and abducted the manager, one Malam Muazzam and three others.
The gunmen, who arrived the station at about 6:30pm on motorcycles also shot and killed three persons on the spot before they went away with their victims.
Among those killed, according to eye witness, were one Abubakar, whose wedding is said to be two weeks away.
It was gathered that one of the kidnapped persons regained his freedom by divine intervention, when the motorcycle conveying him and one of the abductors developed fault midway to their abode.
The gunmen, according to residents of the area, were said to have come from Alawa forest in Shiroro local government area of the state.
Alawa forest is known to be a safe haven for notorious criminals, including cattle rustlers who operate within the axis.
A resident of the Pandogari, Mallam Suleman, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said the gunmen arrived at the filling station and started shooting sporadically into the air for more than 30 minutes.
He disclosed that the police and military only got to the scene after the gunmen had left with their victims.
Meanwhile, the abductors are said to have made contact with the community leader and demanded for N3 million for the release of each of the remaining two victims.
The latest incident came barely a week after three persons were abducted on their way from Alawa market. They were, however, released after payment of N700,000 ransom for each of their victims.
When contacted, the state police command public relation officer, ASP Peter Sunday, confirmed the incident.
