Police foil kidnap attempt of 48 people in Kaduna

Operatives of Kaduna State Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt in Chikun Local Council of the state, after overpowering the criminals, who ambushed a team escorting traders.

The Command Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Jalige, in a statement, yesterday, said: “On December 22 at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while escorting a convoy of traders from Udawa village in Chikun Local Council along Birnin Gwari to Kaduna came under heavy gunshots from armed bandits which led to the kidnap scores of people.

“However, the escort team reinforced themselves and engaged the bandits in a tactical pursuit not to harm the victims.

“The precision of approach exhibited by the Officers forced the bandits to retreat abandoning their victims and scampered with bloody gunshot wounds.

“The Operatives succeeded in rescuing forty eight people to safety. They were profiled and subsequently escorted to their destination safely.

“It is equally important to note that information available to the Command has it that one woman is yet to be accounted for. Meanwhile effort is being intensified to ensure her safe return, while additional manpower will be mobilised to the area to safeguard life and property of civilian population in the area.”

Jalige said the Commissioner of Police has commended the offficers for their resilience in the face of danger while serving their fatherland and tasked them to be adequately equipped and alert while embarking on such duties.

IN a related development, the PPRO said the command has arrested three suspects and recovered 1,454 bottles of benylin with codeine syrup, 44 adulterated Gluta White Cream and eight bags of chemicals.

According to him, on December 22, at about 1800hrs, Police patrol team attached to Sabon Gari Division, Zaria while on confidence building patrol along Kaduna – Zaria road, intercepted an unregistered Ford vehicle and upon search of the vehicle, 1,454 bottles of Benylin with codeine syrup, 44 pieces of adulterated Gluta white cream and 8 bags containing chemicals were recovered.

He said: “The development led to the arrest of three occupants of the said vehicle, while preliminary investigation reveals that the products were to be supplied to suspected bandits in Yakawa Wada village of Giwa LGA Kaduna State.

“The investigation is currently ongoing as effort is geared towards apprehending the recipient of the products to subsequently charge them to court for prosecution.”