Katsina police foil bandit attacks, rescue 3 kidnapped victims

Katsina state police have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered 12 stolen cows after repelling two separate bandit attacks.

The first incident happened on Tuesday night around 9:30 pm when armed men invaded Fakuwa village in Kankia Local Government Area, abducted three residents and rustled a dozen cows before attempting to escape.

The regional police commander after receiving calls about the attack, teamed up with vigilantes to track down the attackers. They intercepted the armed group, in a gun battle, forcing the bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.

According to a press statement by the state police spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, all three victims were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.

Just hours later, around 1:30 am on Wednesday, a second group of suspected bandits blocked Kiryoyi-Dangani Road in Musawa Local Government Area, but their plans were aborted when members of the Nigerian police quickly arrived at the scene and engaged them in a gun battle.

After the gunmen fled, security operatives searched the area and found the body of a suspected bandit with a machete lying nearby.

Katsina State Police Commissioner, CP Ali Umar Fage, lauded the officers for their bravery and response during both operations. He urged residents to stay on high alert and report suspicious movements.