Police thwart kidnapping plot, rescue nine victims in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command announced that it has disrupted a kidnapping attempt in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area and rescued nine people who had been abducted.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Mansir Hassan made the statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

Hassan said the incident took place on Wednesday at about 12:45 p.m., after credible intelligence indicated that roughly 15 armed bandits, equipped with advanced weapons, were spotted near Unguwan Sa’idu Village, a few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town.

He added that the bandits had taken several farm workers hostage.

According to him, the Area Commander for Birnin Gwari and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately deployed patrol teams, members of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), and Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVIS) operatives to the area for a rescue operation.

“When the operatives arrived, they encountered the bandits and engaged them in a gun duel,” the officer said.

“The bandits fled on motorcycles into the bush because of the superior firepower of the security forces.”

“The team launched a hot pursuit, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee,” he added.

The police spokesman said the victims were found tied with ropes and left by their captors.

He listed the rescued individuals as: Hudu Rabiu, 31; Yusuf Sagir, 20; Sagir Rabiu, 17; Muhammad Kabir, 23; Kabir Lawal, 20; Idris Abubakar, 17; Mustapha Zayyanu, 18; Kabiru Rabiu, 18; and Usman Lawal, 18.

Hassan said the victims were unharmed and were reunited with their families.

He also reported that two police officers lost their lives while returning from the successful operation after suspected bandits ambushed them along the route.

According to him, the officers sustained gunshot wounds and paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, expressed sympathy for the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased officers.

He described their sacrifice as a testament to the courage, dedication and selflessness of officers who risk their lives daily to protect the public.

“The command honours their memory and service to the nation,” the commissioner said.

Hassan added that investigations and tactical operations are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.