Police foil two kidnap attempts, rescue 20 in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command successfully thwarted two separate kidnapping attempts in the state on Saturday, rescuing a total of 20 victims during the operations.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, revealed that the first incident took place on December 7, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m. along the Katsina–Magamar Jibia road in Jibia Local Government Area.

He added that a group of armed bandits, armed with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons, attempted to kidnap the occupants of a moving vehicle by opening fire. However, police officers from the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

The bandits, sustaining gunshot injuries, abandoned their mission and fled the scene, leaving all 10 occupants of the vehicle unharmed, he noted.

In a second similar incident, later the same evening at around 8:30 p.m., suspected armed bandits ambushed a passenger vehicle at Marabar Bangori along the Funtua–Gusau road in Faskari Local Government Area.

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According to him, upon receiving the alert, the police mobilised and engaged the bandits in another gun battle. Due to superior firepower, the bandits abandoned their plan and fled, successfully rescuing all passengers.

He added that unfortunately, one of the rescued victims sustained severe injuries from an assault by the bandits and was rushed to a nearby hospital. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment and is responding well.

Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, praised the officers for their bravery and professionalism during the operations.

He urged them to maintain their efforts in combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of the state’s residents.