The Katsina State Police Command has successfully thwarted two separate kidnapping attempts in the Jibia and Faskari Local Government Areas, rescuing a total of 20 victims during operations on Saturday.In a press briefing on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer ASP Abubakar Sadiq reported that the first incident occurred on December 7, 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM near Kwanar Makera along the Katsina–Magamar Jibia road. Armed bandits, equipped with AK-47 rifles, targeted a moving vehicle, opening fire in an attempt to abduct its occupants.Responding quickly to a tip-off, police operatives from the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters engaged the bandits in a gunfight, compelling them to abandon their assault and flee with gunshot wounds.
Remarkably, all ten passengers in the vehicle were rescued unharmed.In a related incident, at around 8:30 PM on the same day, suspected bandits ambushed a passenger vehicle at Marabar Bangori along the Funtua–Gusau road in Faskari LGA. Upon receiving alerts, police operatives quickly mobilized to the scene and confronted the bandits in an intense exchange of gunfire.
The bandits, overpowered by the police, fled, leaving all passengers safe.Regrettably, one of the rescued victims suffered severe injuries from the attack and was rushed to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention.The Commissioner of Police for Katsina State, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved. He urged them to maintain this momentum in the ongoing fight against crime, reaffirming the command’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the state’s residents.
