The Katsina State Police Command has rescued nine kidnapped passengers after foiling an abduction attempt by suspected armed bandits along the Katsina–Kankara highway.
The incident occurred on Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. near Tashar Kanya Village in Kankara Local Government Area, where suspected bandits reportedly blocked the road and intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Golf III saloon car carrying passengers from Dandume to Katsina.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the attackers abducted all 11 occupants of the vehicle, which was driven by Aliyu, popularly known as “Maitakabari.”
Upon receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara mobilised a team of operatives, including personnel from the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.
The police team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee into the bush due to the operatives’ superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres.
“While combing the area, the operatives successfully rescued nine victims unhurt,” Aliyu said in a statement issued on Friday.
The statement revealed that the rescued victims were identified as Abubakar Ibrahim, 28; Rakkiya Ya’u, 30; Shamsiya Ahmad Mahamud, 18; Jumai Maharazu, 20; Salamatu Adamu, 30; Yusuf Halliru, 17; Harira Hamisu, 25; Umma Kabir, 17; and three-year-old Nusaiba Maharazu.
However, two persons, Buhari Kabir and the driver, Aliyu “Maitakabari”, remain missing.
The command said efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
According to the statement, the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the courage and professionalism displayed by the officers during the operation and reiterated the command’s commitment to combating banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.