The Sokoto State Police Command says its operatives, in collaboration with the military, have foiled bandits’ attack along the Rabbah–Maikujeru village road in Rabah Local Government Area.
Five kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt from the raid and vehicles recovered.
A statement issued by the Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i said that “the incident occurred on Wednesday night when armed bandits reportedly blocked the road and attacked commuters.”
The command explained that a distress call was received at about 8:45 p.m., indicating that the hoodlums were shooting sporadically before abducting six persons travelling in a Canter truck loaded with charcoal.
Following the report, police tactical teams and personnel from the military Forward Operating Base were immediately deployed to the scene.
“The security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for a considerable period. The hoodlums were eventually overpowered and fled into the nearby forest,” Rufa’i said in the statement.
The police disclosed that five of the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt during the operation, while the Canter vehicle used by the victims was also recovered.
It said that “no casualty was recorded among the security personnel or the rescued victims.”
According to the command, the rescued persons have since been reunited with their families, while the recovered vehicle remains in police custody pending further investigation.
The police further stated that security operatives were combing nearby bushes in search of the sixth victim, who reportedly escaped into the forest during the attack.
The command noted that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, stressing that neighbouring police divisions had been placed on alert to prevent the bandits from infiltrating other areas.
The Sokoto State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and control.
