Gunmen attacked and killed 16 businessmen traveling from Abuja to Kaduna, the Channels Tv has reported.
The Abuja-Kaduna Expressway has been one of the dangerous routes in Nigeria, as bandits abduct and kill travelers with reckless abandon.
Channels Tv, citing sources, reports that the victims, who were all males, died when the gunmen on Thursday shot the tyre of the bus conveying them from Abuja to Kano, a state in the north-west region of the country.
The Toyota bus conveying the travellers was said to have lost control in the process and fell into a ditch.
According to the report, the Kano State government confirmed the death of the 16 indigenes of Danbatta in a statement by Mr Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.
The online platform, citing to information from the Kano State Government, reports that the travellers were mowed down on their way back to Kano from a business trip.
Although the report did not state who was behind the attack it is suspected to be the handiwork of the bandits which have been operating in that area for sometimes now.
The businessmen and women were said to be from Dambatta Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Kano State Governor, Abdullah Umar Ganduje, while reacting to the killing expressed shock at the gruesome murder of the businessmen.
In the condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar, Ganduje said he was devastated by the tragic development.
He said: “We were shocked with the bad news of the death of 16 Dambatta indigenes on Abuja-Kaduna highway, who were travelling from Abuja to Kano, as a result of an attack from unidentified gunmen.
“The news is devastating and frustrating. We commiserate with the families of the deceased, the people of Dambatta local government, and the people of Kano state.
“May Allah accept their martyrdom and may He punish all the perpetrators of this heinous act. There is nothing more shocking than this. We urge people to pray fervently for the reposed souls. And we pray that may Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the great loss.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kano state, I am condoling with the families of the deceased and the people of Dambatta local government, over this tragedy. May Allah forgive all their wrongdoings and reward their good deeds.”
