Police thwart kidnapping attempt in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command reported that it thwarted a kidnapping attempt on Magama-Katsina Road on Saturday, terrorists armed with AK-47 rifles attacked a J5 motor vehicle, kidnapped seven occupants, and set the vehicle on fire.

In a statement on Sunday, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the command’s Public Relations Officer, detailed that on August 17, 2024, at approximately 11:15 pm, bandits armed with AK-47 rifles blocked the Kukar Babangida bridge along Magama-Katsina Road. They attacked the J5 vehicle, kidnapped the seven occupants, and burned the vehicle.

Upon receiving the report, the DPO from Jibia Divisional Headquarters quickly assembled a team of police officers, in cooperation with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and vigilantes. The team tracked down the bandits as they attempted to flee with their victims and engaged them in a fierce gunfight. The operation successfully thwarted the kidnapping and all victims were rescued.

One victim sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was promptly taken to the hospital, where he is receiving treatment. The police are intensifying efforts to apprehend the perpetrators. CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, Commissioner of Police for Katsina State, praised the officers for their bravery and urged the public to continue providing timely information to support security efforts in the state.