NINE kidnapped victims have been rescued by security operatives in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a fierce gun battle forced suspected bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.
News Point Nigeria reports that the successful rescue operation, however, ended in tragedy as two police officers were killed in an ambush allegedly laid by the fleeing bandits while the security team was returning from the mission.
The Kaduna State Police Command disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan.
According to the statement, the victims were abducted on Wednesday while working on their farms around Unguwan Sa’idu Village, located a few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town.
The command said credible intelligence received at about 12:45 p.m. revealed that about 15 heavily armed bandits wielding sophisticated weapons were operating in the area and had taken several people hostage.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the Area Commander of Birnin Gwari and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised patrol teams comprising personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS) to rescue the victims.
On reaching the scene, the security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the criminals to abandon the hostages and escape on motorcycles into the surrounding bush.
“The team launched a hot pursuit, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee for safety,” the statement said.
The rescued victims were identified as Hudu Rabiu, 31; Yusuf Sagir, 20; Sagir Rabiu, 17; Muhammad Kabir, 23; Kabir Lawal, 20; Idris Abubakar, 17; Mustapha Zayyanu, 18; Kabiru Rabiu, 18; and Usman Lawal, 18.
Police said the victims were found tied with ropes after being abandoned by their abductors during the pursuit. They were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families.
However, while returning from the rescue operation, the security team reportedly came under another attack.
According to the police, suspected bandits, believed to have laid an ambush along the route, opened fire on the operatives, fatally wounding two police officers who later died in the line of duty.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the fallen officers.
He described their sacrifice as a testament to the courage, dedication and selflessness of security personnel who risk their lives daily to protect citizens.
The commissioner assured that the command would continue to honour the memory of the deceased officers while remaining steadfast in its commitment to tackling insecurity across Kaduna State.
He added that investigations and tactical operations were ongoing to track down the attackers and ensure they are brought to justice.