The Katsina State Police Command has rescued nine passengers abducted by suspected bandits along the Katsina-Kankara highway following a fierce gun battle with the criminals.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Katsina.
He said the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. at Tashar Kanya Village in Kankara Local Government Area when armed bandits blocked the highway and intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Golf carrying passengers from Dandume to Katsina.
According to Sadiq-Aliyu, the bandits forcefully stopped the vehicle and whisked away all 11 occupants into the bush.
He said that upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara mobilised operatives, including personnel of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.
The police spokesperson said the operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
“Due to the superior firepower and tactical response of the operatives, the hoodlums fled the scene and escaped into the bush,” he said.
Sadiq-Aliyu said a search-and-rescue operation conducted immediately after the encounter led to the safe rescue of nine victims.
He added that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining two victims and track down the fleeing suspects.
The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, commended the operatives for their bravery and professionalism.
He said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state.
Umar-Fage also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information to enhance ongoing efforts against criminal elements.
