There was a gunfight between armed bandits and the police on Christmas Eve following a kidnap attempt on a 10-passenger vehicle in Kwanar Makera, Jibia LGA.

The police command in Katsina said it foiled the kidnap attempt in which at least two of the passengers were killed and two others wounded, according to a statement by its spokesman, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, on Wednesday.

He said, “On December 24,  at 8:30 p.m., some suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons and shooting sporadically, attacked a commercial vehicle at Kwanar Makera on Katsina-Magama-Jibia road in Jibia LGA in an attempt to kidnap 10 occupants of the said vehicle.

“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jibia swiftly led a team of operatives to the scene, engaging the bandits in a gun duel.

“The team successfully foiled the kidnap attempt and rescued all the 10 victims.”

Mr Aliyu explained that four of the rescued victims sustained gunshot injuries as a result of the bandits’ attack and were rushed to the hospital.

“Unfortunately, two victims succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Aliyu further said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation continued.

Police commissioner Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, while commending the officers’ exceptional display of gallantry and dedication to duty, charged them to sustain the tempo.

He further urged the public to always give the police useful information on criminals’ activities for prompt and decisive action.

(NAN)