Police, bandits in gun battle in Kaduna: 4 rescued

Police, bandits in gun battle in Kaduna: 4 rescued

Police operatives in Kaduna have rescued four victims kidnapped by bandits at Gabari Community, Samaru, in Sabon Gari Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

Spokesman of Kaduna Police Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, in a statement on Sunday said the kidnap victims were rescued after fierce gun battle with the bandits in conjunction with local vigilantes.

Jalige said an anonymous caller had promptly reached out to the Divisional Police Office at Danmagaji, Zaria after the invasion of the community by gunmen.

“The caller said an unspecified number of suspected bandits, dressed in military gear invaded the community, shot sporadically and whisked four victims into the forest,’’ Jalige also stated.

He added that on receiving the information, men of Operation Puff Adder II, a police unit, and local vigilantes mobilised and ambushed the bandits on their anticipated escape route.

Jalige stated that the strategy yielded dividends as two of the victims were rescued during a fierce encounter with the bandits.

He added that with the assistance of the local vigilantes, the team laid a second ambush at Gwada Village, another escape route for bandits.

“Those who escaped from the first ambush were intercepted just as two other victims were rescued unhurt.

“Unfortunately, the bandits had earlier shot and killed one person at Kufena Village, Wusasa, for refusing to be kidnapped,’’ he stated.

He urged members of the public to always alert the police with prompt information as the Commissioner of Police, Mr Yekini Ayoku, has assured of confidentiality on information received.

The commissioner also condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed that he found eternal rest,’’ Jalige stated.

(NAN)