The Katsina State Police Command has it its personnel have foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine victims during an incident along the Katsina-Kankara road.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement, said the foiled abduction incident occured on June 12, at about 2:30pm.

Aliyu said armed bandits had blocked the road around the Tashar Kanya community, in Kanakara council area, where they intercepted a commercial vehicle conveying 11 passengers.

He said a swift operation by the command’s personnel led to a gun duel, abd that the armed bandits fled the area while nine persons were rescued in the process.

The police spokesperson, however, said whereabouts of two of the abducted victims was yet to be ascertained, but that a search and rescue effort was ongoing in the area.

“On June 12, 2026, at about 2:30 pm, a group of suspected armed bandits blocked the Katsina-Kankara Road at Tashar Kanya Village, Kankara LGA, intercepting a red commercial Volkswagen Golf III Saloon (registration number KMC 400 MK) driven by 40-year-old Aliyu, alias “Maitakabari”.

“The vehicle was conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina when the armed group abducted all occupants.

“Upon receiving the information, the DPO Kankara mobilized a team of police operatives, including the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.

“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to the team’s superior firepower and tactical maneuvers, the hoodlums were forced to flee the scene.

“While scanning the area, operatives rescued nine victims unhurt. They have been identified as: Abubakar Ibrahim, 28, Rakkiya Ya’u, 30, Shamsiya Ahmad Mahamud, female, 18, Jumai Majarazu, 20, Salamatu Adamu, 30, Yusuf Halliru, 17, Harira Hamisu, 25, Umma Kabir, 17, and Nusaiba Maharazu, 3.

“However, two persons, Buhari Kabir and the driver, Aliyu, alias “Maitakabari” are still missing. A search and rescue operation is currently ongoing to rescue the remaining victims unhurt and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the gallantry of the operatives and reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ridding Katsina State of all criminal elements,” he added.