The Katsina State Police Command has rescued 18 abducted persons and recovered an unspecified number of cattle after a daring confrontation with bandits who launched attacks in the state.

The bandits targeted commuters plying the notorious Gusau in Zamfara State to Funtua in Katsina State and local communities, including Gidan Gada village, Kafur Local Government Area. In the highway ambush, armed men with AK-47 rifles stopped four vehicles, including two DAF trucks, one Canter, and one Toyota Avensis, and kidnapped the passengers in the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the other set of the bandits raided Gidan Gada village and were said to have stolen cattle and vandalized the village.

Police Public Relations Officer, Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Aliyu, while confirming the incident in a statement, said: “DPOs of Kafur and Malumfashi immediately mobilized their teams and conducted a counterattack.”.

The officers trailed the bandits to Fanisau village, and consequently engaged them in a fierce gun battle, the bandits had to flee, abandoning the rescued animals and victims that were all recovered.

The DPO Kafur was however unfortunate as he had a gunshot injury; he has since been receiving effective medical attention.

Aliyu said, “The swift response by the DPOs of Kafur and Malumfashi led to the success of the operation, during which the bandits were repelled, and the stolen livestock recovered. The fleeing criminals are being pursued for possible arrest.”

Aliyu then appealed to members of the public to continue assisting security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities with valuable information about activities and movements of criminal elements.

Police rescue 18 people, recover cattle after repelling bandits attack in Katsina