Operatives of the Taraba State Police Command have killed three bandits and lost one officer in a fierce battle to rescue the 22 persons abducted on Tuesday night in Pupule in Yoro local government area.
The command’s spokesperson, Usman Abdullahi, said an assistant superintendent of police, Aminu Nuhu died during the gun duel with the bandits.
He said three of the bandits were killed while several others escaped with gunshot injuries during the encounter at a mountain in Yoro local government area. The location is believed to be a bandits’ hideout.
Abdullahi said four of the bandits were apprehended by the police during the operation.
He said, “The rescue operation is being conducted by the command’s anti-kidnapping squad.”
Meanwhile, the state governor, Agbu Kefas, has urged security agents to ensure the immediate rescue of the 23 persons from their abductors.
The governor who spoke through his special adviser on media and digital communications, Hon Emmanuel Bello, condoled with the police and the immediate family of Nuhu, who died during the encounter with the bandits.
Kefas assured the police of his continuous support to ensure the eradication of criminal activities in the state.
Bandits numbering over 20 in the early hours of Tuesday had invaded Pupule community and abducted the victims, who included two policemen, a pregnant woman and a traditional ruler to an unknown destination.
