Police rescue 18 abducted victims, rustled animals in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command, yesterday, said its operatives foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued 18 victims along the Funtua- Gusau expressway in Zamfara State.

The command also foiled a cattle rustling attempt and recovered the stolen animals at Gidan Gada village, Kafur Local Council of the state.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said both incidents occurred on the same day.

According to him, on January 3, 2025, at about 9:30 p.m., information was received at the Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters that some suspected armed bandits armed with AK-47 rifles, shooting sporadically, ambushed four motor vehicles at a point along the Funtua-Gusau, Zamfara highway.

He stressed that the attacked vehicles, include one maroon-coloured Toyota Avensis, en route to Yankara village from Batsari; one white-coloured DAF motor vehicle, white; one Pacars Canter motor vehicle; and one DAF, green in colour, all en route to Funtua from Gusau, Zamfara State, conveying 18 passengers, were attacked by the suspected kidnappers in an attempt to kidnap all the occupants.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters, mobilised operatives to the scene, where a gunfight ensued. The team successfully repelled the armed bandits’ attack and rescued all 18 victims unharmed.

“On the same date, at about 11:00 p.m., some suspected armed bandits attacked Gidan Gada village, Kafur Local Council of Katsina State, and rustled several cattle.

“Upon receipt of the report, swiftly the DPOs of Kafur and Malumfashi Divisional Police Headquarters jointly mobilised and traced the suspected armed bandits to the area of Fanisau village, where they engaged the bandits in a gun duel and successfully recovered all the rustled animals.

“Unfortunately, the DPO Kafur sustained a gunshot injury during the encounter and was immediately rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention and is currently responding to treatment.

“Efforts are on top gear to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police Katsina State Command, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, commended the officers for their exceptional valour.

He urged the public to continue supporting the state’s command and other security agencies with timely information for prompt and decisive action.