The police command in Katsina State has foiled a kidnap attempt while rescuing 10 passengers at Kwanar Makera in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.
He said: “On Dec. 24, at 8:30 p.m., some suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked a commercial vehicle at Kwanar Makera on Katsina-Magama-Jibia road in Jibia LGA, in an attempt to kidnap 10 occupants of the said vehicle.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia, swiftly led a team of operatives to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun duel.
“The team successfully foiled the kidnap attempt, and rescued all the 10 victims”.
Aliyu said that four of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the bandits’ attack and were rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention.
“Unfortunately, two victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment,” he said.
Aliyu further said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation continued.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State, Mr Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.
He further urged the public to always give the police useful information on criminals’ activities for prompt and decisive action.