How Police snatched nine victims from grip of Bandits in Katsina

By Abbas Bamalli

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have foiled a kidnapping operation and rescued nine passengers after engaging suspected bandits in a fierce gun battle along the Katsina-Kankara highway.

The command disclosed that the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at Tashar Kanya Village in Kankara Local Government Area, where armed bandits reportedly blocked the highway and intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Golf travelling from Dandume to Katsina.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the attackers forcefully abducted all 11 occupants of the vehicle and attempted to whisk them away into the bush.

Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara immediately mobilised a joint team of operatives, including personnel from the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.

The police team subsequently confronted the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.

“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. Due to the superior firepower and strategic manoeuvres of the police team, the hoodlums were compelled to retreat into the bush and abandon their mission,” the statement said.

A search-and-rescue operation conducted after the exchange of fire led to the successful rescue of nine of the abducted passengers, all of whom were recovered unharmed.

The command, however, said efforts were ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining two victims while security operatives continue to track down the fleeing suspects.

Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, praised their courage, professionalism and swift response.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state and ensuring the safety of residents.

The police chief also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing security operations against banditry and other violent crimes in the state.