The Katsina State Police Command says it has thwarted a bandit attack in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, rescuing four kidnapped victims, including a nursing baby, and recovering an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
The command said the operation followed a distress call concerning the abduction of three women from Makwanta Village in the early hours of Wednesday.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer mobilised police operatives, who tracked the fleeing bandits towards the Dutsin-Ma–Danmusa border.
The operatives subsequently engaged the suspects in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
Police said the bandits abandoned all four victims, who were rescued unhurt.
Items recovered during the operation included an AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, a Tecno mobile phone, three MP3 players, a knife and three wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the officers involved for their bravery, tactical coordination and prompt response.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against banditry and other violent crimes across Katsina State.
Police spokesman DSP Abubakar Sadiq said efforts were continuing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
He also urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in their operations.