Police foil kidnap, cattle rustling attempts, rescue 11 in Katsina

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The Katsina State Police Command says it has foiled attempted kidnappings and cattle rustling in Kankara and Malumfashi Local Government Areas.

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The command also said it rescued 11 kidnapped passengers and recovered 25 rustled cows.

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Command spokesman DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Katsina.

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He said the first incident occurred on Monday at about 8:45 p.m. when the Divisional Police Officer of Kankara Division received a distress call that armed bandits had blocked the Sheme-Kankara Road at Kakumi Village.

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“The bandits intercepted an unregistered Toyota Hiace bus carrying 11 passengers to Kano and abducted all of them.

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“Police operatives led by the DPO swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.

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“The bandits were overpowered by the superior firepower of our operatives and fled, abandoning the victims,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.

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He said all the 11 abducted passengers were rescued unhurt, and efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspects.

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The spokesman said in a separate incident at about 8:50p.m. the same day, the command received a distress call that bandits had attacked Badawa Village in Malumfashi LGA and rustled 25 cows.

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“The DPO of Malumfashi Division mobilised Armoured Personnel Carrier patrol teams and intercepted the suspects along their escape route on the outskirts of the village.

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“After an exchange of gunfire, the bandits abandoned the cows and escaped.

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“All the 25 recovered cows have been returned to their owners, and security has been reinforced through sustained patrols and surveillance,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage commended the operatives for their gallantry, swift response, and professionalism.

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He assured residents that the command would sustain offensive operations against banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes across the state.

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“I urge members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support security agencies in tackling crime,” Fage said. (NAN)

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