Police Foil Bandits’ Attack, Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in Sokoto
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Rabah Division, in collaboration with the military, have foiled an armed banditry attack along the Rabbah–Maikujeru village road in Sokoto State, rescuing five kidnapped victims unhurt and recovering a vehicle used by the victims.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the incident occurred on Wednesday night when suspected bandits reportedly blocked the Rabbah–Maikujeru road and opened fire sporadically before abducting six persons traveling in a Canter truck loaded with charcoal.
The statement said the police received a distress call at about 8:45 p.m. and immediately mobilised a joint team of police tactical operatives alongside personnel of the military Forward Operating Base to the scene.
Security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing the bandits to flee into a nearby forest after being overpowered.
The command disclosed that five of the six abducted victims were rescued unhurt during the operation, while the Canter vehicle conveying them was also recovered.
“The rescued persons have been reunited with their families, and the vehicle is in police custody pending further investigation,” the statement noted.
The police added that security personnel are currently combing surrounding bushes in search of the remaining victim, who reportedly fled into the forest while trying to escape from the attackers.
The command further stated that efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while neighbouring police divisions have been placed on alert to prevent the bandits from infiltrating other areas.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information to security agencies in the fight against crime.
