Police kill four suspected kidnappers, rescue six victims in Bauchi

The Bauchi police command says it has killed four suspected kidnappers and rescued six victims in Alkeri and Kirfi LGAs of the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Ahmed Wakil, police spokesperson in the state, said the operatives, in multiple operations, arrested four suspected kidnappers terrorising the Alkeri area.

Wakil said the bandits killed a 70-year-old man when they invaded his residence in Dan village in Alkeri.

He said the man, identified as Saleh Umar, was shot multiple times, adding that he was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“Sequel to the operations that was conducted on the 09th of January, 2023 acted on reliable intelligence that at about 2300hrs, a group of armed men attacked Dan village via Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA. During the siege, the gunmen stormed the residence of Saleh Umar (aka Saleh Burga) m aged 70yrs of the same village, and murdered him,” the statement reads.

“The victim was shot multiple times by the armed men. Upon receiving this information, police operatives were drafted and immediately arrived at the scene, but the hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the police team.

“The victim was rushed to Gar Primary Health care center Bauchi but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“Nevertheless, efforts had been intensified in a bid to trail and apprehend the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

“Consequently, on the 10th of December 2023, police operatives in conjunction with locals ambushed and neutralized two of the armed kidnappers, while the remaining suspects were subdued by the superior firepower from the operatives, forced them to scamper in disarray into the nearest bushes with possible bullet wounds.

“Furthermore, one (1) Ak47 rifle was recovered alongside three (3) magazines and four (4) 7.62×39mm live ammunition.”

The police in partnership with local hunters were said to have arrested three suspected kidnappers and destroyed a hut suspected to be a bandits’ hideout in Dajin Madam and Yankari forest.

He said the suspects confessed to having engaged in several kidnappings, adding that twenty-two rounds of 7×62.51mm NATO ammunition were recovered.

“Also, on 07/01/2023 at about 1430hrs following an intelligence report, a combined team of police operatives in conjunction with local hunters strikes kidnappers’ hideout near Mansur forest,” he added.

“Consequently, two of the bandits were neutralized and fabricated SMG riffle, and three operational motorcycles (Honda Bajaj) were equally recovered during the operation.

“In related developments, operatives attached the commands anti-kidnapping unit base 4, Alkaleri in conjunction with professional hunters engaged suspected kidnappers at Yankari forest via Jada.

“During the operation, five (5) kidnapped victims who were believed to have been kidnapped from Cheledi village of kirfi LGA of Bauchi state were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families. Similarly, one suspect was arrested during the operation, while a locally fabricated pistol and the sum of ninety thousand-naira cash (N90, 000.00) were recovered from the suspects.”

The police spokesperson said the operatives also rescued a 14-year-old girl from Maimadi warden in Alkaleri and recovered one AK47 rifle during the operation.