The Jigawa State Police Command has successfully rescued an 80-year-old kidnap victim, Hajiya Hajara, and neutralised five members of a kidnapping gang in a daring rescue operation.
The Force said that intelligence at the Command’s disposal revealed that a group of about twelve armed bandits had abducted the elderly woman from her residence in Sarbi Village, Minjibir LGA of Kano State, and had attempted to escape through Jigawa State.
Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, in a statement on Monday said that combined teams of police operatives attached to the Jigawa State Command mobilized alongside other local security outfits in a swift and coordinated response, storming the suspected criminal hideouts between Danzomo and Medi villages.
He stressed that a fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects, including the gang’s kingpin, Yahaya, 35 years, while five other suspects were neutralized during the exchange of fire.
“The kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt and taken to the hospital for medical evaluation, after which she was discharged. Exhibits recovered in the operation include two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated LAR rifle, fourteen live rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles, and two mobile phones,” he said.
In a related development, the operatives of the FCT Police Command, in a coordinated joint operation, dismantled a notorious armed robbery and carjacking syndicate known for a string of high-profile robberies and vehicle thefts across the capital.
Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives intercepted the gang as they prepared to strike an unsuspecting victim around the Maitama area.
‘Upon sighting the operatives, the criminals opened fire, leading to a gun duel. One of the gang’s most wanted suspects, Abdulmininu Bello, a.k.a. Babanle, was neutralized during the encounter, while seven other suspects were apprehended at the scene, including Ibrahim Muhammad, 22 years, an ex-convict; Abubakar Abdullahi, 22 years; Sarajo Yusuf, 20 years; Sanusi Ali, 51 years; Abubakar Sani; Isiaka Adamu, another ex-convict; and Abdullahi Isah.
“Exhibits recovered from the scene include four AK-47 rifles, two locally made pistols with ten rounds of live 9mm ammunition, eleven rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition, one locally made shotgun, and a 2004 Toyota Camry LE,” he concluded.
Linus Aleke
Follow us on:
