The Kaduna State police command says it dislodged a bandits’ hideout and rescued three abducted victims in Mijin Gwaggo, Durum in Makarfi Local Government Area of the state.

A statement on Saturday by Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesman, said the command received credible intelligence about suspicious movements on Friday at about 10: 00 a.m.

“Acting swiftly on the information, the Commissioner of Police directed the divisional police officer, Makarfi Division, to lead a patrol team in collaboration with local vigilantes to the scene,” he said.

Mr Hassan stated that when the kidnappers sighted the approaching security personnel, they opened fire. 

“The team responded and engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bushes with gunshot injuries.

“A house belonging to one Yakubu Sule was subsequently searched; it was discovered that it was being used as a hideout by suspected bandits,” he added.

Mr Hassan further explained that it was believed that three recently kidnapped victims were being held in the house.

According to him, the victims—Alhaji Hamza Shuaibu Gimi and two others—were successfully rescued unharmed.

Mr Hassan noted that a Boxer motorcycle suspected to have been used by the kidnappers was also recovered from the premises.

He added that the rescued victims have been reunited with their families, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.