The Kaduna State Police Command says its operatives have rescued 48 kidnapped Kano-bound traders taken away by bandits at Udawa village along the Birnin Gwari highway in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The PUNCH had reported that some bloodthirsty bandits suspected to be kidnappers abducted over 70 Kano bound traders along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna road on Wednesday.
The bandits had taken their victims into the forest while the police that accompanied the traders went missing.
However, the police in Kaduna, while confirming the incident on Thursday, said the force gave the bandits a hot chase and rescued 48 abducted traders.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammad Jalige, who confirmed the incident, said the escort team that accompanied the traders actually reinforced and engaged the hoodlums.
Jalige added the bandits scampered with bullets wounds to safety after the gallant escort overpowered them.
The police chief, however, said a female trader was still missing after the 48 persons were rescued by the operatives, saying that efforts were on to rescue her unhurt.
The police spokesman said, “On the 22nd of December, 2021 at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while escorting a convoy of traders from Udawa village in Chikun LGA along Birnin Gwari to Kaduna came under heavy gunshots by armed bandits which led to the kidnap of a score of persons.
“However, the escort team reinforced themselves and engaged the bandits in a tactical pursuit in order not to harm the victims.
“Thus, the precision of approach exhibited by the officers forced the bandits to retreat abandoning their victims and scampered with bloody gunshot wounds.
“The operatives succeeded in rescuing 48 people to safety. They were profiled and subsequently escorted to their destination safely.
“It is equally important to note that information available to the Command has it that one woman is yet to be accounted.
“Meanwhile, the effort is being intensified to ensure her safe return while additional manpower will be mobilized to the area to safeguard lives and properties of the civilian population in the area.
Meanwhile, Jalige also disclosed that the force in Sabon Gari division in Zaria, intercepted vehicles loaded with hard drugs being taken to bandits at Yakawada in the troubled Giwa Local Government Area of the state where bandits killed over 38 residents on Sunday.
He said three suspects, who were occupants of the vehicle, were apprehended while no fewer than 1,454 bottles of Benylin codeine syrups, 44 pieces of adulterated Gluta white cream, and 8 bags containing chemicals were recovered.
According to him, “On the 22nd of December, 2021 at about 1800hrs the Police patrol team attached to Sabon Gari Division, Zaria, while on confidence-building patrol along Kaduna – Zaria road, intercepted an unregistered Ford motor vehicle and upon search of the vehicle, 1,454 bottles of Benylin with codeine syrup, 44 pieces of adulterated Gluta white cream, and 8 bags containing chemicals were recovered.
“The development led to the arrest of three occupants of the said vehicle as preliminary investigation reveals that the products were to be supplied to suspected bandits in Yakawa Wada village of Giwa LGA Kaduna state.”
Jalige said the command had launched into the matter as “effort is geared towards apprehending the recipient of the products to subsequently charge them to court for prosecution.”
