The Katsina State Police Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine victims following a swift response to an attack along the Katsina–Kankara highway.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Katsina.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. when suspected armed bandits blocked the Katsina–Kankara Road at Tashar Kanya Village in Kankara Local Government Area and intercepted a red Volkswagen Golf III saloon car.
The vehicle, with registration number KMC 400 MK, was driven by a 40-year-old man identified as Aliyu, also known as “Maitakabari,” and was conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina when it was attacked.
“Upon receiving the information, the DPO Kankara mobilised a team of police operatives, including the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.
“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to the team’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, the hoodlums were forced to flee the scene,” the statement added.
While combing the area, the operatives rescued nine of the victims unhurt.
However, two persons — Buhari Kabir and the driver, Aliyu — were still missing as of the time of filing this report.
A search and rescue operation is said to be ongoing to locate the missing victims and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for their swift response and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling banditry and other violent crimes in the state.