The Kebbi State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against banditry, neutralising one suspected bandit and arresting three others during coordinated operations in Maiyama and Shanga Local Government Areas.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, who said the operations were carried out in response to two separate attacks on residents of Botoro Gadi and Kwari communities.
According to the statement, eight armed men had invaded the residence of one Alhaji Sani in Botoro Gadi, Mungadi area of Maiyama LGA, abducting two residents identified as Muhafi Sani and Shamsiya Aliyu.
“Upon receiving a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Maiyama led a combined team of police operatives and local vigilantes who pursued the attackers and engaged them in a gun battle. As a result, one of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while his dane gun and one empty cartridge shell were recovered,” the statement read.
In a related incident, another gang of bandits attacked Kwari village in the Giron Masa area of Shanga LGA, abducting two residents, Suleiman and Yunwa Suleiman.
Abubakar said the Divisional Police Officer in Shanga, working with army personnel and vigilantes, swiftly mobilised and confronted the attackers. “During the encounter, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled into the forest with fatal gunshot injuries,” he added.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that operatives arrested one Musa Muhammad at Takware village in Shanga for unlawful possession of ammunition. Items recovered from him included three rounds of live ammunition and 20 empty shells of 7.62×39mm calibre.
All rescued victims have since been medically examined and reunited with their families.
Abubakar reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kebbi State, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and dismantle remaining criminal networks.
He recalled that in October, the Command neutralised three suspected Lakurawa bandits during a fierce gun battle in Dandi Local Government Area, after armed men invaded Gorun Yamma village.
