Security operatives made up of a joint police team, military and katsina community watch corps on Thursday afternoon rescued fourteen passengers earlier kidnapped by bandits .
Sources said the rescued passengers were inside a bus belonging to the Katsina Transport Service and were traveling to Funtua from Katsina earlier on Thursday when bandits waylaid the bus and kidnapped them at Gidan kifi village in the local government area.
It was learnt that the security operatives who were alerted of the attack, consequently mobilised to the scene of the incident and confronted the bandits,resulting in a fierce gun duel.
The sources added that the fourteen passengers were rescued during the encounter.
The spokesperson for the Katsina police command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu confirmed the development.
He explained” Today, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at about 1.30 p.m, some suspected bandits armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles attacked a KTSTA bus driven by one Dabo Filalawa, m., of Filin Polo quarters, Katsina State, at Gidan Kifi village via Kankara to Marabar Kankara road, enroute Funtua from Katsina, and kidnapped the occupants of the vehicle.
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint team of Police operatives attached to Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters, Military, and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, swiftly mobilsed and responded to the scene where they engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued fourteen (14) kidnapped victims.
“Aggressive efforts are currently being made to ensure the unhurt rescue of the remaining four (4) kidnapped victims. Further development will be communicated in due time, please.”