The Katsina State Police Command says its operatives have prevented a planned bandit attack on Dansarai and Kamfani communities in Malumfashi Local Government Area, with one suspected bandit killed during the operation.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Katsina.
According to him, the operation followed a distress call received at the Malumfashi Police Division on August 25 at about 6pm. The alert indicated that suspected armed bandits on motorcycles were heading towards the two communities.
Sadiq-Aliyu said the Divisional Police Officer quickly mobilised a team of police personnel and members of the Violent Crime Response Unit to respond to the threat.
He explained that the operatives positioned themselves strategically and engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat.
“Due to the superior firepower and tactics deployed by the team, the planned attack was successfully foiled, while the bandits fled the scene in disarray.
“While scanning the area, the body of one suspected armed bandit, who was neutralised during the encounter, was recovered,” Saduq-Aliyu said.
The police spokesperson added that security operatives were continuing efforts to locate and apprehend the suspects who escaped from the scene.
The state Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, praised the officers involved for their courage and professionalism during the operation.
Umar-Fage also reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting residents and their property across Katsina State.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to help them respond quickly to emerging threats.