The Katsina State command of the Nigeria Police Force has successfully thwarted two distinct kidnapping attempts in the Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas of the state.
This development was confirmed by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, during a press briefing on Sunday.
According to Sadiq, during operations conducted on Saturday, the command managed to rescue 20 individuals who had been kidnapped in these regions.
He revealed that the first incident occurred on December 7th, 2024, at approximately 19:00 hours at Kwanar Makera along the Katsina–Magamar Jibia road in Jibia LGA.
He said a group of armed bandits equipped with lethal weapons, including AK-47 rifles, opened fire on a moving vehicle in an attempt to abduct its occupants.
However, operatives from the command, stationed at the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters and acting on a tip-off, promptly responded and engaged the bandits in a gunfight, compelling them to abandon their mission and flee the scene with gunshot wounds.
Sadiq stated that all ten vehicle occupants were successfully rescued without harm.
In a related incident, on the same date at around 20:30 hours at Marabar Bangori, along the Funtua–Gusau road in Faskari LGA, suspected armed bandits ambushed a vehicle transporting passengers.
The command’s operatives alerted to the situation, rapidly mobilized and arrived at the scene, confronting the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Thanks to their superior firepower, the bandits abandoned their malicious intent and fled, successfully rescuing all passengers.
“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.