By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Operatives of the Kaduna Police Command have dislodged bandits and in the process, foiled a kidnap attempt in Chikun Local Government Area of the state, after overpowering the criminals who ambushed a team escorting traders.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Jalige, dated December, 2021
“On the 22nd December, 2021 at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while on 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 a score of persons.
“However, the escort team reinforced themselves and engaged the bandits in a tactical pursuit in order not to harm the victims,” it said.
According to the statement, the precision of approach exhibited by the Officers forced the bandits to retreat abandoning their victims and scampered with bloody gunshot wounds.
“The Operatives succeeded in rescuing forty eight people to safety. They were profiled and subsequently escorted to their destination safely.
“It is equally important to note that information available to the Command has it that one woman is yet to be accounted. Meanwhile effort is being intensified to ensure her safe return while additional manpower will be mobilized to the area to safeguard lives and properties of civilian population in the area,” it added.
The statement said that 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 same day, three suspects were arrested and 1,454 bottles of benylin with codeine syrup, 44 adulterated Gluta White Cream and 8 bags of chemicals were recovered.
“On the 22nd 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 Fort motor 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.
“The development led to the arrest of three occupants of the said vehicle as preliminary investigation reveals 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.”
