‘Bandit killed’ as police foil kidnap attempt in Katsina

The Katsina police command says a suspected bandit was killed when operatives foiled an attempt to kidnap residents in the Dandume area of the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Abubakar Aliyu, police spokesperson in the state, said the command received reports that bandits carrying weapons had invaded Dandume.

Aliyu said the operatives were immediately deployed to the location and engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

“On January 25, 2024, at about 1930hrs, a report was received at the Dandume divisional police headquarters on the movement of some suspected armed bandits in their numbers, wielding dangerous weapons such as general-purpose machine hun (GMPG) and AK-47 rifles, coming towards Dandume LGA,” the statement reads.

“Upon receipt of the report, promptly, DPO Dandume mobilised men of both Operation Sharan Daji and Restore Peace and responded to the scene. The team gallantly engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce gun duel and succeeded in repelling the attack.

“In the course of scanning the scene, the body of one (1) suspected bandit as well as one (1) general-purpose machine gun with twenty-seven (27) rounds of 94.5mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene.”

Aliyu said Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, the commissioner of police, commended the officers for their bravery, dedication, and professionalism.

He said the commissioner called on the residents to continue to support the command with relevant information on criminal activities.