The Kebbi State Police Command has killed one suspected bandit and arrested three others during coordinated operations across Maiyama and Shanga Local Government Areas of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the operations followed two separate attacks by armed bandits on Botoro Gadi and Kwari communities.
Abubakar explained that eight armed men stormed the residence of one Alhaji Sani in Botoro Gadi, Mungadi area of Maiyama LGA, and abducted two residents, identified as Muhafi Sani and Shamsiya Aliyu.
Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Maiyama led a joint team of police operatives and local vigilantes who chased the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle.
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“As a result, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while his dane gun and one empty cartridge shell were recovered,” Abubakar said.
He added that another gang of bandits attacked Kwari village in the Giron Masa area of Shanga LGA, where two residents, identified as Suleiman and Yunwa Suleiman, were abducted.
The police spokesperson said the Divisional Police Officer in Shanga, working with army personnel and vigilantes, quickly mobilised and confronted the attackers.
“During the encounter, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled into the forest with fatal gunshot injuries,” he stated.
In a related operation, the police arrested one Musa Muhammad at Takware village in Shanga for unlawful possession of ammunition.
Recovered from him were three rounds of live ammunition and 20 empty shells of 7.62×39mm calibre.
Abubakar confirmed that all rescued victims had been medically examined and reunited with their families.
He assured residents that the Command remains committed to flushing out criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property in Kebbi State.
In October, the Command also neutralised three suspected Lakurawa bandits during a gun battle in Dandi Local Government Area after a gang stormed Gorun Yamma village.