Katsina State Police Command has foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Sabuwa local government area and rescued 28 victims.
According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, he said the successes were part of the its efforts under the leadership of the commissioner of police, CP Bello Shehu, to tackle the rising wave of kidnapping and banditry in the state.
He said on July 29, at 9:24 a.m. a distress call was received from a good Samaritan alerting the police to an ambush by armed bandits along the Sabuwa-Kaya Road, near Inno Junction. The attackers, armed with dangerous weapons, had reportedly kidnapped 14 travellers.
In response, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sabuwa promptly mobilised a team of operatives to the location. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bush.
All 14 victims were rescued unharmed. Unfortunately, one male victim, identified as Abba, aged 27, from Funtua town, was fatally shot by the bandits before police intervention.
Aliyu also explained that in a separate incident the previous night, on July 28 at around 11:27 pm, the police received another distress call from Zagaizagi village in the same LGA. Suspected bandits had attacked the community and kidnapped several residents.
The police operatives engaged the attackers in a shootout and succeeded in rescuing another 14 kidnapped persons and recovering two rustled cows. Sadly, two residents lost their lives during the confrontation.
The police command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in both incidents.
CP Shehu commended his officers for their courage and swift response and urged the public to continue supporting the command with timely and credible information.
“The command remains committed to the protection of lives and property across the state,” CP Shehu stated.
