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Police. Photo Credit: Elliot Ovadje
Katsina State Police Command on Saturday foiled a kidnap attempt involving four commercial vehicles on the Funtua-Katsina to Gusau, Zamfara State, highway and rescued 18 passengers.
The command also thwarted a cattle rustling attempt and recovered the stolen animals.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, in a statement made available to newsmen late on Saturday, said: “On January 3rd, 2025, at about 2130 hrs, information was received at the Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters that suspected armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles and shooting sporadically, had ambushed four motor vehicles at a point along the Funtua to Gusau, Zamfara State, highway.
“The vehicles — a maroon Toyota Avensis en route to Yankara village from Batsari; a white DAF motor vehicle; a Pacars Canter motor vehicle; and a green DAF vehicle, all en route to Funtua from Gusau—were transporting 18 passengers when they were attacked by the suspected kidnappers in an attempt to abduct the occupants.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO of Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene, where a gunfight ensued. The team successfully repelled the armed bandits’ attack and rescued all 18 victims unharmed.”
The statement added that on the same date, at about 11 pm, suspected armed bandits attacked Gidan Gada village in Kafur LGA, Katsina State, rustling a number of cattle.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPOs of Kafur and Malumfashi Divisional Police Headquarters jointly mobilised and traced the suspected armed bandits to Fanisau village, where they engaged the bandits in a gun battle, successfully recovering all the rustled animals.
“Unfortunately, the DPO of Kafur sustained a gunshot wound during the encounter and was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. He is currently responding to treatment,” the statement continued.
According to the police, efforts are underway to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, psc+, while commending the exceptional bravery displayed by the officers, urged members of the public to continue supporting the command and other security agencies in the state with timely information for prompt and decisive action,” Sadiq added.
