The Katsina State Police Command successfully prevented two distinct kidnapping attempts in the state’s Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas.
During Saturday’s operations in these locations, the command rescued 20 kidnapped victims.
ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the police public relations officer, told reporters on Sunday that the first incident occurred on December 7th, 2024, at around 19:00 hours at Kwanar Makera on the Katsina-Magamar Jibia route in Jibia LGA.
A group of armed robbers, holding lethal weapons like AK-47 rifles, opened fire on a moving vehicle in an effort to kidnap the occupants.
“However, operatives of the command attached to the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on a tip-off, swiftly responded and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their mission and flee the scene with gunshot injuries. All ten occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unharmed.
“In a similar incident, on the same date at about 20:30 hours at Marabar Bangori, along the Funtua–Gusau road in Faskari LGA, suspected armed bandits laid an ambush on a motor vehicle carrying passengers.
“The command’s operatives, alerted to the situation, quickly mobilised and stormed the scene, engaging the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to superior firepower, the bandits abandoned their heinous plan and fled the scene, with all the passengers successfully rescued.
“Unfortunately, one of the rescued victims was rushed to the hospital due to severe assault inflicted on him by the assailants. The victim is currently responding to medical treatment.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, PSC, while commending the gallantry and professionalism displayed by the officers, charged them to sustain the tempo in the ongoing fight against all forms of crime and criminality in the state, reiterating the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the people of the state,” Sadiq said.
