The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed how its operatives foiled an armed robbery attempt along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

The command’s spokesman, Sani Garba, said in Kaduna on Thursday that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

According to Mr Garba, the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Sunday near the agency’s checkpoint close to Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.

He explained that the operatives were alerted after one of the motorists reportedly escaped from the suspected robbers and raised the alarm.

“Some armed robbers had blocked the highway when one of their victims managed to escape and alerted our men stationed nearby. Our operatives immediately moved to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the operation and flee,” he said.

He said the timely intervention of the operatives prevented the suspected robbers from abducting any of the motorists or other road users.

The NDLEA spokesperson added that no abduction was recorded during the incident.

A video circulating on social media showed several vehicles, including articulated trucks, abandoned along the highway following the encounter.

Some of the trucks were seen with their engines running, while their drivers and other occupants were apparently nowhere around.

The footage also showed NDLEA operatives moving around the scene, inspecting the abandoned vehicles and documenting the aftermath of the incident.

In the video, an officer speaking in Hausa said the suspected robbers fled upon sighting the approaching NDLEA operatives.

Another officer was heard directing colleagues to gather abandoned belongings and convey them in a truck for recovery.

Mr Garba assured motorists and other road users of the command’s commitment to supporting security agencies in protecting lives and property.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

He also called on motorists to cooperate with security personnel to strengthen safety along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

Also speaking on the incident, a senior operative of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KadVS), who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said nobody was kidnapped during the incident.

The senior KadVS official, who spoke in Zaria, said occupants of the abandoned vehicles had returned and continued their journeys after security operatives intervened.

According to him, the service had successfully repelled more than five separate attacks at the same location along the highway in October, preventing suspected criminals from carrying out their operations.

(NAN)