Katsina Police Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 9 Kidnapped Passengers

Katsina Police Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 9 Kidnapped Passengers

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have rescued nine passengers abducted by suspected bandits along the Katsina-Kankara highway following a fierce gun battle that forced the attackers to flee.

The incident occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. when armed bandits reportedly blocked the road at Tashar Kanya village in Kankara Local Government Area and intercepted a red commercial Volkswagen Golf III saloon car conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said the bandits forcefully abducted the occupants of the vehicle before security operatives launched a swift rescue operation.

According to the police spokesperson, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kankara Division immediately mobilised a team of officers, including personnel of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene after receiving a distress report.

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The operatives engaged the criminals in a fierce exchange of gunfire, compelling them to abandon most of their captives and escape into the surrounding forest.

DSP Aliyu stated that the security team’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres played a crucial role in the successful rescue of the victims.

The command disclosed that nine kidnapped passengers were rescued unharmed during the operation.

However, two individuals identified as Buhari Kabir and the vehicle driver, Aliyu, popularly known as “Maitakabari,” remain missing.

Police authorities said an intensive search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to locate and safely recover the remaining victims while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The latest breakthrough highlights ongoing efforts by the Katsina Police Command and other security agencies to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the state.

In recent months, security operatives have recorded several successes against criminal groups operating in parts of Katsina State, rescuing abducted victims, recovering stolen property, and disrupting bandit hideouts through intelligence-led operations.

Commending the officers involved in the rescue mission, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, praised their bravery, professionalism, and dedication to duty.

He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to securing lives and property and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information that would aid ongoing security operations.

The police chief further emphasized that the command remains determined to rid Katsina State of criminal elements and ensure that those responsible for violent crimes are brought to justice.

Katsina Police Foil Bandit Attack, Rescue 9 Kidnapped Passengers