Police repel bandits’ attacks in Katsina, rescue 13 kidnap victims

The Katsina police command says its operatives rescued 13 hostages while repelling attacks by bandits on Faskari and Malumfashi LGAs of the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Abubakar Aliyu, police spokesperson in Katsina, said the operatives responded to a distress call at Yan Kara village and rescued three abducted persons.

Aliyi said the operatives also repelled an attack on Gidan-Maga village in Malumfashi LGA, adding that the bandits attempted to kidnap residents and rustle some cattle.

“On May 8, 2024, at about 2350 hrs, the command in a swift rescue operation succeeded in foiling a kidnapping attempt at Unguwar Boka village, Faskari LGA, along Funtua-Gusau road,” the statement reads.

“One Golf III motor vehicle conveying three (3) passengers en route to Yan Kara village, Faskari LGA was attacked. Upon reaching the scene, the bandits, having barricaded the road, opened fire on the motor vehicle in an attempt to force the driver to a stop with the intent to kidnap the occupants of the vehicle.

“Our rapid response patrol team, patrolling the area led by DPO Faskari, quickly responded to the scene, engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, and successfully rescued the three (3) victims unhurt.

“The bandits, however, fled the scene with gunshot wounds. An investigation is currently ongoing with a view to identifying and arresting the fleeing suspects.

“Similarly, on May 9, 2024, at about 0045 hrs, the command successfully foiled a kidnapping and cattle rustling attempt by bandits in Gidan-Maga village, Malumfashi LGA, Katsina State.

“A distress call was received at the Malumfashi divisional headquarters that armed bandits in their numbers, wielding AK-47 rilfes, attacked Gidan-Maga village, kidnap ten (10) residents and rustled about sixteen (16) cows.

“Promptly, the DPO Malumfashi mobilised officers and responded to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel.

“The gallant team successfully foiled the attack and rescued all the kidnapped victims unhurt; sixteen (16) suspected rustled cows were also recovered as the bandits fled the scene with gunshot wounds.”