The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued three kidnapped victims and dislodged a suspected bandits’ hideout during an operation in Makarfi Local Government Area of the state.
The operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on Aug. 21 regarding suspicious movements around Gidan Mijin Gwaggo, Durum, in Makarfi Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the intelligence prompted the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, to direct the Divisional Police Officer of Makarfi Division to lead a patrol team to the area.
The police team reportedly worked alongside local vigilantes during the operation as they moved to investigate the suspicious activities.
According to Hassan, the suspected kidnappers opened fire after sighting the security personnel, resulting in a fierce gun battle between the two sides.
He said the suspects were eventually forced to retreat into the surrounding bushes after sustaining gunshot injuries.
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Following the confrontation, the security team conducted a search of a nearby house belonging to one Yakubu Sule, which was suspected to have been used as a hideout by the bandits.
During the search, the officers discovered three kidnapped victims inside the building and successfully rescued them unharmed.
The victims were identified as Alhaji Hamza Shuaibu-Gimi and two others. The police also recovered a Boxer motorcycle from the premises, which Hassan said was suspected to have been used by the kidnappers during their operations.
The PPRO disclosed that the rescued victims had since been reunited with their families, while security personnel continued efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Hassan said the Commissioner of Police commended the officers and local vigilantes involved in the operation for their prompt response and effective collaboration.
The CP assured residents of Makarfi and other parts of Kaduna State that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing and community partnerships in the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information about suspicious activities in their communities.
According to the commissioner, sustained cooperation between security agencies and members of the public remains essential to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace across Kaduna State.
NAN
