Katsina State Police Command has said it neutralised a suspected armed bandit and recovered one automatic rifle during a foiled attack in Kankara Local Government Area.

Spokesperson for the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement, said the incident occurred Tuesday in Bulunkuza village at about 1 am.

According to the statement, on said day “at about 0105 hrs, the command succeeded in foiling a bandits’ attack on Gidan Dan Ali village, Ketare Ward, Kankara LGA, neutralising one suspected armed bandit and recovering one AK-47 rifle.

“Information was received at the Kankara Divisional Police headquarters that armed bandits, in their numbers, wielding dangerous weapons, attacked Gidan Dan Ali village in Kankara LGA.

“Upon receipt of the report, promptly, the DPO Kankara Divisional Headquarters, CSP Iliyasu Ibrahim, mobilised a team of police operatives, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), and vigilante to the scene.

“The team successfully tracked the assailants down to Bulunkuza village in Tudun Wada Ward, Kankara LGA, where they gallantly engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, forcing the assailants to abandon their plan and flee the scene.

“During the course of scanning the scene, the body of one neutralised suspected bandit and one AK-47 rifle were recovered.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, while commending the exceptional display of gallantry and professionalism, urges members of the public to continue providing the command with timely information on suspected criminal activities for prompt and decisive action.”