Village Heroes: Kaduna residents defeat bandits, rescue kidnapped hostages
In a courageous stand against banditry, residents of Rugar Sojidi, a Fulani settlement near Issan Makaranta in Kaduna State, successfully thwarted a kidnapping and rescued hostages, killing one of the assailants in the process.
According to ASP Mansir Hassan, the Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, the bandits had abducted three individuals from the village before encountering fierce resistance from the locals.
Acting swiftly upon receiving intelligence, police operatives from Jere mobilised to the scene, only to find that the villagers had already engaged the bandits and neutralised one of them.
“A locally organised defense effort saw the villagers disarm one bandit, seizing an AK-47 rifle and six rounds of ammunition,” stated ASP Hassan.
“All three hostages were rescued unharmed.”
READ ALSO: Troops in Plateau, Kaduna arrest suspected bandits, gunrunners
Following the incident, a thorough search of the surrounding bushland was conducted to apprehend any remaining suspects.
In a separate operation, the Makarfi Divisional patrol team, working in collaboration with local vigilantes, thwarted an armed robbery attempt along the Kano-Zaria Road during the early hours of the same day.
“Encountering armed robbers and suspected cattle rustlers who had obstructed the road, our patrol engaged in a brief exchange of gunfire,” ASP Hassan reported.
“The criminals, overwhelmed by our superior firepower, fled the scene, abandoning their vehicle.”
The prompt response of the police ensured the road was quickly cleared, enabling safe passage for motorists.