Police in Katsina neutralise three suspected kidnappers

The Katsina State Police Command, yesterday, said it successfully neutralised three suspected kidnappers during a shootout at the Kankara-Dutsinma federal highway.

The command said the incident occurred on December 10. It said there was an exchange of gunfire, which led to a vigilante sustaining gunshot injury. In a statement, spokesperson for the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said: “On December 10, 2023, at about 04:30 hours, there was credible information that some suspected armed robbers and kidnappers, wielding dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, blocked the Dutsinma-Kankara highway in an attempt to kidnap unsuspecting members of the public. Upon receipt of the report, the Area Commander, Dutsinma, mobilised a joint team of police operatives and vigilantes and moved to the scene.

“Upon reaching the scene, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the operatives. The officers valiantly returned fire and succeeded in neutralising three members of the gang. Also, one Masa’udu Sani, a vigilante, sustained a gunshot wound to his right hand.”

He disclosed that the injured operative is currently responding to treatment while efforts are underway to arrest other fleeing suspects, and that investigation is in process.

“While praising the operatives’ professionalism, synergy, and bravery, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Aliyu Musa, urged the officers to sustain the tempo and called on citizens of the state to provide the command and other security agencies with information on criminal activities, so that swift action could be taken,” Aliyu added.