Police repel bandits, rescue 18 kidnap victims, recover cattle in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has successfully rescued 18 kidnap victims and recovered stolen cattle following separate incidents involving armed bandits.

In a statement on Sunday, a police spokesman in the state, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, said the incident occurred on January 3, 2025 along the Funtua-Gusau highway in Zamfara State.

He said that the police received a tip-off that armed bandits ambushed four vehicles carrying 18 passengers. The attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, attempted to kidnap the occupants of the vehicles—a Toyota Avensis, two DAF motor vehicles, and a Pacars Canter.

According to him, the police promptly mobilised to the scene, and after a gunfight, the bandits were repelled, and all the victims were safely rescued.

In a separate incident later that evening, bandits attacked Gidan Gada village in Kafur Local Government Area and rustled cattle.

He added that police officers from Kafur and Malumfashi Divisions tracked the bandits to Fanisau village, where a gun battle ensued. The rustled cattle were recovered, though the Kafur DPO sustained a gunshot wound and is currently receiving treatment.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, praised the bravery of the officers and urged the public to continue supporting security efforts with timely information.