The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.

Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said that in the latest operation, credible intelligence received on Sunday indicated that suspected armed bandits were moving rustled cattle across the border between Funtua and Dandume LGAs.

He said the divisional police officer of the Central Police Station, Funtua, mobilised a team of operatives to the area.

“On arrival, the bandits opened fire on the operatives, who responded with superior firepower, forcing the suspects to flee into a nearby forest. During a search of the area, the operatives rescued one kidnapped victim, identified as Hafiza Rabiu, unharmed, and recovered seven rustled cows. The victim was medically examined and reunited with her family,” the command said.

The police spokesman added that in a related operation on Friday, the command received a distress call that armed bandits had invaded Kuru Village in Musawa LGA and rustled cattle.

According to him, the DPO of Musawa Division, in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, mobilised to the scene and trailed the suspects into a nearby bush.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said the bandits opened fire on the security team, which responded with superior firepower, forcing the criminals to abandon the stolen livestock and escape.

He said eight cows were recovered during the operation, as efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

According to him, the police commissioner, Ali Umar-Fage, commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved in the operations.

Mr Umar-Fage commended the public for providing timely information that contributed to successful operations and urged residents to sustain their support for the police in the fight against crime across the state. 

(NAN)