Security Operatives Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue 76 Victims In Kaduna
THE Kaduna State Police Command has said that prompt Police and military response recently foiled an attempt to kidnap 76 persons along Funtua-Zaria road.
The Command’s spokesman, Muhammad Jalige, said in a statement on Monday, November 21 that the incident occurred around 11p.m. on Friday, November 18.
Jalige explained that the kidnap attempt was made by a large number of bandits wielding sophisticated weapons, who blocked a section of Funtua-Zaria Road at Gulbala in Giwa Local Council.
He stated that a combined team of Police and the military mobilised to the location and thwarted the intention of the gunmen who had already taken some passengers into the bush.
“On reaching the location, a Ford open truck with Reg. No. APP 667 XG was found and information gathered had it that a large number of passengers on the truck have been moved off the road by the bandits. This development engendered an immediate search and rescue operation by the operatives into the adjourning forest.
“In the process, the bandits were encountered and by the sheer force of fire power by the security operatives, they were left with no option than to abort their nefarious mission and take to flight with injuries.
“Thorough combing of the forest over several hours by the crack operatives succeeded in the rescue of large number of victims, totalling 76, comprising male and females of different ages,” he added.
Jalige said preliminary investigation revealled that the victims were passengers on the truck travelling from Sabon Birni Local Council of Sokoto State to different destinations when they were abducted, adding: “Operatives are still on operation within the general area in search of the main truck driver and two other passengers who are yet to be accounted for.”
