The Kaduna state Police Command on Wednesday night said they have successfully foiled a kidnapping incident along Kaduna – Zaria highway, killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued 11 victims unhurt.
This was coming few days after the Emir of Potiskum was injured alongside four others on the same route, with four of the Emir’s aides and two others killed when the Emir’s convoy was shot at sporadically by armed bandits.
Police operatives also intercepted nine other captives who were passengers of the Morcopolo luxury bus that was attacked along Kaduna- Zaria Road, according to a statement signed by the Kaduna state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, Wednesday night.
He said, “the Kaduna state Police Command succeeded in foiling a kidnapping incidence, gunned down some suspected bandits and rescued 11 victims unhurt.
“On 22/1/2020 at about 00:30hrs, the Command received a distress call through DPO Mararraban Jos that, some unknown armed bandits blocked the Kaduna-Zaria highway and abducted eight persons from a Sharon bus on their way from Kano to Abuja namely; Aisha Umar, Samira Ibrahim Dakata, Safiya Idris, Hauwa Aliyu, Aisha Yakubu, Ma’aru Adam, Safiya Audu and Yahaya Bello respectively all of Kano state.
“On receipt of the information, the Command mobilized teams of operatives with some Armored Personnel Carrier (APCs) vehicles to the area, engaged the attackers, successfully gunned down two of the bandits and rescued all the eight victims unhurt while many other bandits escaped with bullet wounds. The Command is still on the trail of the hoodlums with a view to apprehending and bringing them to face justice.
“In another separate incidence, on 21/1/2020 at about 0600hrs, the Command received a distress call from good Samaritans through DPO Kidandan in Giwa L.G.A that, some bandits invaded Maidaro village and kidnapped three workers of Airtel Communication Company.
“The Command quickly mobilized operatives to the scene, engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued all the three workers unhurt namely; Henry Agim, Kamal Raman and Shegun Adejimoh.
“While, on manhunt of the fleeing bandits, our operatives also intercepted nine other captives who were passengers of the Morcopolo luxurious bus that was attacked along Kaduna- Zaria Road on 14/01/2020 alongside the convoy of the Emir of Potiskum at Foundation village.
“The victims are identified as; Abdulhafiz Wakil, Abdul Wasiu Jimoh, Mujittaba, Hajara Usman, Emmanuela Dimka, Dahiru Isa and three others who were debriefed by the CP and supported to be reunited with their respective families.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muri sincerely appreciates the cooperation of the local communities recently by helping the Command to overcome the current security challenges in the state and enjoins the general public to continue to support the police to enable the command sustain the win in the battle.
“The CP assures the people of the state that the command is resolute in its collective resolve to reduce crime to the barest minimum.”