Police Search For Kidnapped German

Police have launched a man-haunt for the kidnappers of a German, Raupach Edgar. He was on Thursday abducted at Zaria Road fly-over, Kano northwest Nigeria by two gunmen.

Raupach, an engineer with Dantata and Sawoe was kidnapped and bundled inside the boot of an Omega car at gun point, while working at the fly-over under construction on Zaria Road.

According to eyewitness account, “the kidnappers arrived in a commando style, handcuffed Raupach, bundled him inside the boot and sped off.”

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Kano State Police Command, Magaji Majia, told P.M.NEWS this morning that the command has deployed a special team in search of the German and to arrest his abductors.

Though he said the police were yet to establish contact with the kidnappers, he was optimistic that, “very soon, the abductors will be arrested and brought to book. The case is still under investigation, but I will not reveal the strategies we are using. Surely, we shall come up with useful result soon.”

Magaji appealed to the public to cooperate with the police by giving useful information on criminals and criminal activities. “Policing the society is the responsibility of every right-thinking citizen. We shall continue to ask for the cooperation of all stakeholders to enable us make the society a better place and crime-free,” he said.

Raupach’s case is the first in recent times, after the kidnap of Elder Michael Obi, father of Chelsea mid-fielder, Mikel Obi, who was kidnapped in Jos Plateau state and brought to a hide-out in Kano, but was rescued by the Kano Police.

Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in Kano exactly one week after the most devastating coordinated attack on the ancient city by members of the Boko Haram sect, which claimed the lives of over 200 people and left many government properties and a place of worship destroyed.

Kano State Police spokesman, Majia, told P.M.NEWS that all security agencies are, “on red alert and I want to assure you that lives and property of citizens are guaranteed. I would like to urge residents to remain calm and stop panicking.

“If anyone hears anything or suspects any movement, he should report to the security agencies. People should also stop raising unnecessary alarm and listening to unfounded rumours. There is presence of security everywhere, and I want to assure Nigerians that God willing, we remain in control. I also want to use this opportunity to urge all Nigerians, whether Muslims or Christians, to pray for peace and stability in this country.”

P.M.NEWS reports that most traders are staying at home today after last Friday’s tragic experience in the city of Kano.

Those who spoke to P.M.NEWS insisted that they avoided going to the market because of anticipation of possible attack by the Boko Haram sect.

Chinedu Agu, an indigene of Abia state who sells on clothes at Kofar Wamber market told P.M.NEWS that it is very instructive to remain at home, “and keep my ears on the ground over what is happening. I feel like relaxing today. I will not go to the market because you are aware that today is Friday and no one knows what will happen next.”

The Igbo trader who said that he has received several calls from his relations at home to leave the city of Kano and relocate to the East regretted that the crisis came at a very critical time.

“After Christmas expenses, we were faced with the problem of fuel subsidy removal; and now, the Boko Haram insurgency. I hope to travel by next week with my family only if I can raise enough money for transportation. I will stay back in the East until normalcy returns.”

P.M.NEWS also reports that Thursday’s explosion at the New Road Luxury Motor Park, Sabon Gari has further heightened the fear of non-natives as the number of those leaving the city of Kano has continued to swell.

—Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano