By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kogi State, Alhaji Wakili Damina, has been abducted.
The state Secretary of MACBAN, Mr Adamu Abubakar, told newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday that Damina was abducted on April 30 by some armed men dressed in army camouflage.
“Eye witnesses said that the abductors, numbering about eight, came in a white bus at about 12 noon, “forcefully” took Chairman from his house at Chikara village, Kogi Local Government area.”
Abubakar said that he was informed of the incident about an hour later by the younger brother of Damina who claimed he witnessed the incident.
“Since then, his lines are not reachable and all efforts to know his whereabouts proved abortive,” he said.
Abubakar said that he immediately notified the state Commissioner of police of the development, adding that the state government was also informed through the Special Adviser on security matters to the governor, Mr Jerry Omodara.
The Secretary said that he and some members of the association visited the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, Abuja, to know if Damina was in their custody but they said no.
He also said that a search party raised by MACBAN had visited other places, including abattoirs in and around Abuja to no avail.
The state Commissioner of police, Mr Ede Ayuba, when contacted confirmed the incident and said that his command is yet to locate the whereabouts of the Chairman.
The state Commissioner of police, Mr Ede Ayuba, when contacted confirmed the incident stressing that efforts to get detailed information about the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area where the incident happened failed as the matter was not officially reported to him.
The Commissioner said that the Police are yet to locate the whereabouts of the Chairman but efforts would be intensified towards his release.
