Police foil kidnap, cattle rustling attempts, rescue 11 in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command announced that it has disrupted two separate criminal incidents involving kidnapping and cattle theft in the Kankara and Malumfashi Local Government Areas.

According to the command, police rescued 11 passengers who had been abducted and recovered 25 cattle that had been stolen.

DSP Abubakar Sadiq‑Aliyu, the command’s spokesperson, provided the details in a statement issued on Tuesday in Katsina.

He explained that the first incident occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Monday when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kankara Division received a distress call reporting that armed bandits had blocked the Sheme‑Kankara Road at Kakumi Village.

“The bandits intercepted an unregistered Toyota Hiace bus carrying 11 passengers bound for Kano and abducted all of them,” Sadiq‑Aliyu said.

“Police operatives, led by the DPO, quickly mobilised to the scene and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.”

“The bandits were overpowered by the superior firepower of our operatives and fled, abandoning the victims,” he added.

The spokesperson confirmed that all 11 abducted passengers were rescued unharmed and that efforts were underway to track and arrest the suspects.

In a separate incident at about 8:50 p.m. the same day, the command received another distress call reporting that bandits had attacked Badawa Village in Malumfashi LGA and stolen 25 cows.

“The DPO of Malumfashi Division mobilised Armoured Personnel Carrier patrol teams and intercepted the suspects along their escape route on the outskirts of the village,” Sadiq‑Aliyu said.

“After an exchange of gunfire, the bandits abandoned the cows and escaped.”

All 25 recovered cattle have been returned to their owners, and security has been reinforced through sustained patrols and surveillance, the spokesman added.

Ali Umar‑Fage, the state Commissioner of Police, praised the operatives for their gallantry, swift response, and professionalism.

He assured residents that the command would continue offensive operations against banditry, kidnapping, and other crimes throughout the state.

“I urge members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support security agencies in tackling crime,” Fage said. (NAN)

The post Police foil kidnap, cattle rustling attempts, rescue 11 in Katsina appeared first on Vanguard News.