The Katsina State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued seven victims in Kankara LGA, Katsina State.
According to the Command’s spokesman, DSP Abubakar Aliyu,On September 21st, 2026, about 9:45 pm, a distress call was received at Kankara Division that a syndicate of suspected bandits had blocked a point from the Kankara to Dutsin-Ma road by Unguwar Kanawa-Dantudu village and intercepted a Volkswagen Golf 3 motor vehicle with Registration No. BCH 58 SB, driven by one Sani Umar, 35, conveying six passengers to Dutsin-Ma LGA from Kaduna State.
The Police spokesman added that upon receipt of the report, the DPO Kankara Division led operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) to the scene.
He disclosed that the team tactically traced and intercepted the bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun duel, compelling the bandits to flee the scene.
Aliyu added,” During the operation, all seven (7) occupants of the motor vehicle (comprising the driver and six passengers) were successfully rescued unhurt.”
Names of victims were given as Sani Umar ‘M’, 35 (Driver);
Emmanuela Anyaba ‘F,’ 20 ;
Regina Felix ‘F,’ 19; Peace Joseph ‘F,’ 23 ;
Mercy Michael ‘F,’ 19 ;
Maryam Salisu ‘F,’ 21 ; Nafisa Yakubu ‘F,’ 18 .
The victims were immediately taken to the nearest hospital for medical evaluation and were subsequently certified stable and discharged.
The Police Spokesman said the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families as efforts are being sustained to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects.
According to him, the State Police Commissioner Ali Umar Fage commended the gallantry and prompt response of the operatives and assured members of the public of the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. He urges the public to continue to support the command with timely and credible information for prompt and decisive action against all forms of crime and criminality.