The Katsina State Police Command on Saturday disclosed that its operatives rescued 21 kidnapped victims and recovered 20 rustled cows during combat against a group of bandits.
This disclosure was made by the State Commissioner of Police, Idrisu Dabban, in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Gambo Isah.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday.
He said the Command received distress calls from residents and the Commissioner of Police ordered immediate action as the officers and men of the command pursued the terrorists around Buraji and Sabon Sara villages.
According to him, the Area Commander, Dutsinma, ACP Mohammad Makama, led a team of police tactical units, blocked their exits route at Gandun Sarki village, engaged them in a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued all the kidnapped victims and recovered rustled cows.
He said many terrorists were killed, and some escaped the scene with gunshot wounds, adding that tactical teams are still combing the area to recover their dead bodies and/or arrest the injured terrorists.
“Today being 28/10/2022 at about 0430hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists in their numbers, on motorbikes, shooting sporadically with AK-47 rifles, attacked Buraji and Sabon Sara villages, kidnap 15 women and six children and rustled 20 cows.
“On receipt of the information, Area Commander, Dutsinma, Mohammad Makama, led a team of Police Tactical Units, blocked their exit route at Gandun Sarki village, engaged them into a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued all 21 kidnapped victims and recovered 20 rustled cows.
“Many terrorists were killed and some escaped the scene with gunshot wounds. Tactical teams are still combing the area with a view of recovering their dead bodies and/or arresting the injured terrorists. An investigation is ongoing,” the statement partly read.
He appealed to residents in the state to report any suspicious movement and those with bullet wounds to the police for immediate arrest and prosecution.