Some yet-to-be-identified armed men suspected to be kidnappers abducted the king of Gurku and his wife in Karu local government area of Nasarawa state.

The victims, HRH Jibril Mamman Waziri and his wife, Hajiya Sa’adatu Waziri were kidnapped in the palace at about 10pm on Sunday.

The first-class traditional ruler resides in a mountainous area of Guruku, about 10 kilometres from Mararraba.

A resident who pleaded anonymous said: “It was around 10 pm when the sad incident occurred. The gunmen who came in their numbers, abducted the Chief and his wife. They did not get any help from the security agencies that was why the gunmen were able to take them away.

We are calling on the Police and other security agencies to urgently intervene in the matter so that they can be released as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Police Command said efforts were ongoing to rescue the King and his wife unhurt.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said: “I wish to confirm that around 10pm of August 6 2023, a distress call was received by the Nasarawa State Police Command that the palace of the Chief of Gurku town located 10 kilometers away from Mararaba main town in a mountainous area, was invaded by men suspected to be kidnappers.

“Upon receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, deployed a combined team of police operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups to the scene.

“Upon arrival, it was discovered that the Chief and his wife were abducted to an unknown destination. The surrounding bushes and the mountains were combed but all efforts to get them proved abortive.

The Commissioner of Police has further deployed additional men of the Tactical Teams; the Anti-kidnapping Unit, and officers from the Karu Area Command to the scene in order to rescue the Chief and his wife unhurt.”