The Kaduna State police command has said it has foiled a kidnap attempt in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state and rescued nine persons.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan, said this in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

Mr Hassan said that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 12:45 p.m. following credible intelligence that about 15 bandits armed with sophisticated weapons were sighted around Unguwan Sa’idu Village, a few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town.

He said the bandits abducted several persons working on their farms.

According to him, the Area Commander, Birnin Gwari, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately mobilised patrol teams, officers of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), alongside the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS) operatives to the area on a rescue mission.

He said, “On arrival, the operatives sighted the bandits and engaged them in a gun duel. The bandits fled on motorcycles into the bush due to the superior firepower of the security operatives. The team launched a hot pursuit, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee.”

The police spokesman said the victims were found tied with ropes and abandoned by their captors.

He listed the rescued victims as; Hudu Rabiu, 31; Yusuf Sagir, 20; Sagir Rabiu, 17; Muhammad Kabir, 23; Kabir Lawal, 20; Idris Abubakar, 17; Mustapha Zayyanu, 18; Kabiru Rabiu, 18; and Usman Lawal, 18.

Mr Hassan said the victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.

He, however, said that two police officers lost their lives while returning from the successful operation after suspected bandits ambushed them along the route.

According to him, the officers sustained gunshot wounds and paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

The state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, sympathised with the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased officers.

He described their sacrifice as a testament to the courage, dedication and selflessness of officers who risk their lives daily to protect members of the public.

“The command honours their memory and service to the nation,” the commissioner said.

Mr Hassan added that investigations and tactical operations were ongoing to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.

(NAN)