Police, bandits in gun battle in Bauchi: 10 dead, 39 rescued

Police operatives in Bauchi have successfully rescued 39 victims from kidnappers after a heavy gun battle that led to the death of 10 of their abductors in the Jan-Dutse community situated inside Yankari forest in the state.

The operation, which was carried out by operatives of the Command’s Operation Sharan Daji team in conjunction with hunters was led by CSP Makama Magaji.

According to a statement issued by the Bauchi Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the police operatives acted on credible intelligence and swiftly stormed the forest where they engaged the kidnappers in a heavy gun battle.

Wakili said the police operatives were able to subdue the kidnappers in the ensuing gun battle as a result of superior firepower.

He added that 10 kidnappers were killed during the exchange of gunfire, while others ran in different directions with bullet wounds.

The Bauchi Police Command spokesperson added that the rescued victims include 28 adult males, eight adult females and three infants.

He added that the rescued kidnap victims had been reunited with their respective families after a medical check-up at the General Hospital in Alkaleri local government area of the State.

The kidnappers, Wakili said, had demanded the sum of N50 million from each of the victims as a ransom before the successful rescue operation by the police.

The rescued kidnap victims are; Muhammadu Sardauna of Sabon Layi; Meshack Isyaku of Kafi; Mustapha Muhammadu of Sabon Jiri; Marafa Kasu of Gargankufai; Sale Dan Asabe of Badakoshin Pali; Alh Amadu Hassan of Sabon Layi; Saddik Isa of Sabon-Jiri; Mannirul Hassan of Kafi; Aminu Alhaji Baushe of Anguwan Gyero; Rabiu Adamu of Alkaleri; Yahaya Abubakar of Alkaleri; Hamisu Hashim of Gaji Gamu, and Muhammadu Bello of Anguwan Gyero.

Others are Babangida Makeri of Badakoshi; Yunusa Adamu of Kwalele; Galadima Iliyasu of Tollon; Isa Dan-Biran of Tollon; Hashimu Sarkin Busa of Tollon; Muhammadu Shuaibu of Dan;Kalik Dahiru of Dagudi; Aliyu Yakubu of Gaji; Alhaji Kamilu of Unguwan Gyero; Ahmadu Yari of Duguri; Mohammad Ali of Dan; Dan Lami Samaila of Dan;
Rabiu Barde of Sabon-Jiri; Yakubu Muhammad of Gaji, and Yakubu Musa of Mun.

While the rescued female victims are Khadija Abbas of Gaji; Usaina Muhammadu Sani of Duguri; Rose Bulus of Duguri; Hakuda Adamu of Gaji; Shamsiya Abdulhakim of Duguri; Fatima Sunusi of Duguri; Maimuna Iliyasu of Duguri as well as Aisha Yusuf of Gaji.

While commending the operatives for their gallantry, as well as selfless service to the nation and humanity, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Musa Muhammad, has reassured the citizens of the State that the war against crimes and criminality will soon be won.

The CP called for continuous support for the police and other law enforcement agencies, promising that the security agencies will not rest on their oars until normalcy is restored in every part of the State.