Police foils kidnap of traders, rescue 48 victims in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday said its operatives foiled bandits’ attack on innocent residents in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

It said the operatives dislodged bandits who ambushed a team of personnel escorting traders.

ASP Muhammed Jalige, Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna Command in a statement, said on December 22, 2021, at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while escorting a convoy of traders from Udawa village in Chikun LGA along Birnin Gwari to Kaduna came under heavy gunshots by armed bandits which led to the kidnap of scores of traders.

He said, following the attack, the police team re-enforced, engaged the bandits in a tactical pursuit, adding that the operatives succeeded in rescuing forty-eight people to safety.

ASP Jalige added that the precision of approach exhibited by the Officers forced the bandits to retreat, abandoning their victims and scampering with bloody gunshot wounds.

He said, traders rescued were profiled and subsequently escorted to their destination safely.

He noted that the Command has it that one woman is yet to be accounted for adding that effort is being intensified to ensure her safe return while additional manpower will be mobilized to the area to safeguard lives and properties of the civilian population in the area

The statement said the Commissioner of Police commended the Officers for their resilience in the face of danger while serving their fatherland and tasked them to be adequately equipped and alert while embarking on such duties.

In a related development, three suspects were arrested and 1,454 bottles of Benylin with codeine syrup, 44 adulterated Gluta White Cream and 8 bags of chemicals recovered.

“On the 22nd of December 2021 at about 1800hrs the Police patrol team attached to Sabon Gari Division, Zaria while on confidence-building patrol along Kaduna – Zaria road intercepted an unregistered Ford car vehicle and upon search of the vehicle, 1,454 bottles of Benylin with codeine syrup, 44 pieces of adulterated Gluta white cream and 8 bags containing chemicals were recovered.” He said

According to him, the development led to the arrest of three occupants of the said vehicle while preliminary investigation revealed that the products were to be supplied to suspected bandits in Yakawa Wada village of Giwa LGA Kaduna State.

“The investigation is currently ongoing as effort is geared towards apprehending the recipient of the products to subsequently charge them to court for prosecution.” the statement said.