The Kaduna state police command has reacted to reports that 48 traders were abducted by bandits along Birnin Gwari – Kaduna road, saying that the victims were rescued.
The traders who were said to be traveling in a convoy, escorted by a police team, along the dreaded Birnin Gwari – Kaduna highway, were reportedly abducted on Wednesday when bandits opened fire at them.
However, in a statement on Thursday Mohammad Jalige, spokesman of the command, said the victims were rescued by the police.
He said the incident occurred when the traders from Udawa village, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state were attacked by bandits along the Birnin Gwari – Kaduna road at about 9:30am on Wednesday.
According to him, “On the 22nd December, 2021 at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while on 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.”
He said further that the operatives succeeded in rescuing 48 people to safety and were profiled and subsequently escorted to their destinations safely.
He added that information made available to the command had it that one woman was yet to be accounted, stressing that effort were being intensified to ensure her safe return.
According to Jalige, “additional manpower will be mobilized to the area to safeguard lives and properties of civilian population in the area.”
He said , “The Commissioner of Police commended the officers for their resilience in the face of danger while serving their fatherland and tasked them to be adequately equipped and alert while embarking on such duties.”
By John Shiklam in Kaduna
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