“The suspects were arrested along Magama cemetery in possession of two rams, one sheep, and a goat, suspected to have been rustled,” the police said.
“The patrol team encountered armed robbers and suspected cattle rustlers who had blocked the road with logs of wood and stones,” the police spokesperson said.
Mr Yahaya said during the operation, one bandit was killed and others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The team also arrested five other suspected bandits believed to be members of the same gang.
The students were kidnapped from their off-campus residence in Angwan Kare area of Keffi town at about 10:30 p.m. on Monday.
Police operatives in Zamfara said it had killed a bandit and arrested six suspects for banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, made the confirmation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The police claimed that they stormed the camp of notorious bandit leader Bello Maibille to rescue the captives.
The Rivers governor said it is unfortunate that he does not have the opportunity to tell bandits “enough is enough.”
The law also provides that anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting would be liable to life, 20 or 10 years’ imprisonment without an option of a fine.
