Sunday, August 30, 2026

Security operatives in bloody clash with protesters over incessant kidnapping in Suleja

“The miscreants later extended the protest to Gauraka Police outpost, vandalised and set it ablaze.”

• May 24, 2021
Suleja protest
Suleja protest used to illustrate the story [Photo credit: The Sun Nigeria]

Security operatives in Niger State had a torrid time restoring normalcy in Suleja, after demonstrations by residents who trooped out to protest incessant abductions in the area turned awry. Unknown gunmen kidnapped another set of persons from their homes on Sunday.

Hundreds of aggrieved family members and other residents blocked the Abuja-Kaduna highway, carry placards and singing solidarity songs to calls government’s attention to their plight.

The demonstrations however turned violent when security forces sought to clear the marchers off the busy highway.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun told Peoples Gazette on Monday that: “The protesters were dispersed at about 12:45 p.m., through the combined efforts of the police and the military.”

“Peace and free flow of traffic restored along Abuja-Kaduna Express road,” he stated, adding that “efforts to rescue the victims are being intensified.”

The spokesman had earlier in the day issued a release confirming the attack of residents of Angwan-wazobia in Gauraka area of Tafa LGA by unknown gunmen who abducted about six persons. 

As of the time of this report, families of those abducted are yet to be contacted by the abductors.

Narrating the aftermath of the kidnapping, the police said, “at about 6:35 a.m. of same date, some miscreants blocked both sides of Abuja–Kaduna expressway, protesting the recent cases of kidnapping in the community. The miscreants later extended the protest to Gauraka Police outpost, vandalised and set it ablaze.”

The Gazette had on Friday reported another abduction incident where no fewer than ten persons were kidnapped by bandits from their homes while beheading one other on Wednesday in Rafin Sanyin, also in Suleja. The kidnappers are demanding huge sums of ransom from each of the victim’s families.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Eko 2026

Sport

Eko 2026: Organisers to engage NIMS on age verification

The organisers said the move aims to curb age cheating among athletes.

Munirat Akanbi-Bello

States

PSN elects Munirat Akanbi-Bello as first female chair in Kwara

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Kwara branch elected Hajia Munirat Akanbi-Bello as its state chairman.

RALLY

Heading 2

2027: Yoruba youth ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‍‌‍‌‌group vows massive grassroots mobilisation for Lagos candidates

Bilisi Movement says it has intensified massive grassroots mobilisation across Lagos State to promote greater indigenous participation in governance.

Composite of Invictus and Tinubu

Heading 1

Convicted businessman Invictus Obi returns to Nigeria’s social circle, eyes political office

A close associate of Mr Okeke told the Peoples Gazette his plans for political office would soon be made public.

President Bola Tinubu

Heading 3

Tinubu leaves for Europe as rumblings grow over past drug dealings, relationship with CIA, FBI

Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the president would “return home after the working vacation to join the hectic campaign for the January 2027 election.”

NABTEB

Heading 5

NABTEB ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‍‌⁠‌⁠‌sets September 10 deadline for 2026 November/December certificate exams registration

NABTEB’s spokesperson, Uchechukwu Olisah, urged prospective candidates, schools, and other stakeholders to comply with the approved registration requirements.