According to the Katsina State Police Command, they have stopped an attempted kidnapping along the Dutsinma-Kankara route, killing three suspected bandits in the process.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, verified this on Sunday in Katsina to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Based on reliable reports, on December 10, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Dutsinma-Kankara highway was blocked by a group of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers who were carrying lethal weapons such AK-47 rifles in an attempt to abduct unwary bystanders.
“As soon as Area Commander Dutsinma received the complaint, he immediately assembled a combined squad of police officers and vigilante members and dispatched them to the scene.
“The suspected kidnappers opened fire on the operatives as soon as they arrived at the scene. The officers bravely returned fire, neutralising three members of the gang.”
The police spokesperson stated, “While one Masa’udu Sani, a member of the vigilante, sustained a gunshot wound on his right hand.”
As the inquiry proceeded, Sadiq-Aliyu said, Sani was responding to treatment and efforts were being made to apprehend other individuals who were running away.
He claims that the state’s commissioner of police, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, has praised the operatives for their bravery, professionalism, and teamwork.
He revealed that the commissioner had asked the officers to keep up the pace as well.
Abubakar-Musa also urged the state’s law-abiding populace to continue supplying vital and timely intelligence on illicit activity to the command and other security agencies.
“so that any criminal activity in the state could be stopped with prompt and decisive action.”
The commissioner was cited by Sadiq-Aliyu as saying, “And also to report to the nearest police station any person seen with suspicious injuries, as some of the bandits have escaped the scene with gunshot wounds.”