At least 18 kidnap victims were rescued from bandits in Katsina State after the police foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Funtua-Gusau highway in Zamfara State.

The Katsina State Police Command also thwarted a cattle rustling attempt in Gidan Gada village, Kafur Local Government Area, recovering an unspecified number of stolen animals.

The kidnapping incident occurred on January 3, 2025, around 9:30 PM, following a report received at the Faskari Divisional Police Headquarters. Suspected armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles and firing sporadically, ambushed four vehicles traveling along the Funtua-Gusau highway.

The vehicles included a maroon Toyota Avensis traveling from Batsari to Yankara village, a white DAF motor vehicle, a Pacars Canter motor vehicle, and a green DAF vehicle—all en route to Funtua from Gusau, Zamfara State. The attackers attempted to abduct the 18 passengers onboard.

One of the vehicles attacked by the bandits

Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer of Faskari promptly mobilized operatives to the scene, leading to an intense gunfight with the bandits.

In a statement issued on Sunday, police spokesman ASP Abubakar Sadiq confirmed that the operatives successfully repelled the attack and rescued all 18 victims unharmed.

In a separate incident on the same day at around 11:00 PM, suspected armed bandits launched an attack on Gidan Gada village in Kafur Local Government Area, Katsina State, rustling a number of cattle.

Upon receipt of the report, the DPOs of Kafur and Malumfashi Divisional Police Headquarters jointly mobilised and traced the suspected armed bandits to the area of Fanisau village where they engaged the bandits in a gun duel, successfully recovering all the rustled animals.

“Unfortunately, the DPO Kafur sustained a gunshot injury during the encounter and was immediately rushed to the hospital for immediate medical attention and is currently responding to treatment.

“Efforts are on top gear to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators of the dastardly act”, the statement added.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, while commending the exceptional act of valour displayed by the officers, urged members of the public to continue supporting the command as well as other security agencies in the state with timely information for prompt and decisive action.