Two kidnap attempts were foiled in Malammadori and Birniwa Local Government Areas of Jigawa State, the police said on Wednesday.

Police Spokesman Lawan Shiisu in Dutse said the first incident was foiled on August 6 when the police received a distress call at about 3:00 a.m.

He said that on the same date at about 2:30 a.m, some suspected kidnappers with sophisticated weapons abducted Musa Barma, 50 of Dunari Bakin Kasuwa in Malam Madori Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman said that upon receipt of the information, a team of policemen laid ambush on the suspects’ suspected route around Arbus village in Kaugama local government area.

He said that the strategy paid off as it led to the rescue of the kidnapped victim unhurt when  the abductors took to their heels. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that a 45-year-old man and resident of Abuja Quarters in Malammadori was involved in the case,” he said. 

He said that the suspect was later arrested and brought to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Dutse, for discreet investigation. 

Mr Shiisu said the second attempt was foiled on August 8 at Sonia Food Tomatoes Company at about 2:00 a.m. in Birniwa Local Government Area when armed men attacked the company.

He added that the suspects, numbering about 20, came on motorcycles with the intent to abduct foreign nationals working in the company. 

The spokesman said on sighting the police on guard, the suspects started shooting sporadically and the operatives returned fire with tactic and precision. 

He said that the shootout forced the abductors to retreat into the nearby bush. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that no one was kidnapped in the company and no member of staff of the company or policeman was injured. 

“Normalcy has since been restored in the affected areas and their environs as rigorous patrol is being intensified to forestall further attacks,“he said.

NAN