- Police rescue nine, sustain pressure over remaining two
Fresh fears over Nigeria’s deepening security crisis heightened on Saturday after the Katsina State Police Command disclosed that armed bandits launched another attack on the Katsina-Kankara highway, abducting 11 passengers travelling in a commercial vehicle..
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, said the latest attack occurred around 2:30pm on Thursday at Tashar Kanya village in Kankara Local Government Area when heavily armed bandits blocked the Katsina-Kankara highway and intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Golf conveying passengers from Dandume to Katsina.
According to Sadiq-Aliyu, the attackers forcefully stopped the vehicle and abducted all 11 occupants before fleeing toward a nearby forest.
He said police operatives immediately swung into action after receiving a distress call, with the Divisional Police Officer in Kankara mobilising tactical operatives, including personnel of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit, to the scene.
“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Owing to the superior firepower and strategic maneuvers of the police team, the hoodlums were forced to abandon their mission and flee into the bush,” Sadiq-Aliyu said.
He added that following a search-and-rescue operation, security operatives successfully rescued nine of the abducted victims unharmed, while efforts are ongoing to locate and secure the release of the remaining two passengers.
Police authorities also confirmed that a manhunt has been launched for the fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the successful rescue operation, Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, praised the courage and professionalism displayed by officers involved in the operation.
He reassured residents that the command remained fully committed to tackling criminal activities across the state and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely intelligence.