Abuja: The Police Command in Katsina State has successfully thwarted separate attempts at kidnapping and cattle rustling in the Funtua and Musawa Local Government Areas (LGAs), rescuing one kidnapped victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, revealed in a statement issued on Monday in Katsina that the latest operation was initiated after credible intelligence was received about suspected armed bandits moving rustled cattle across the border between Funtua and Dandume LGAs. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Central Police Station, Funtua, promptly mobilized a team of operatives to the area. Upon arrival, the operatives faced gunfire from the bandits but responded with superior firepower, leading the suspects to flee into a nearby forest. During a subsequent search, the operatives rescued a kidnapped victim, Hafiza Rabiu, unharmed, and recovered seven rustled cows. The victim was medically examined and reunited with her family.
In a related operation on July 17, the command responded to a distress call about armed bandits invading Kuru Village in Musawa LGA and rustling cattle. The DPO of Musawa Division, in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, mobilized to the scene and pursued the suspects into a nearby bush. Despite being fired upon, the security team used superior firepower, causing the criminals to abandon the stolen livestock and escape. Eight cows were recovered during the operation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, praised the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved in the operations. He also expressed gratitude to members of the public for providing timely information that contributed to the successful outcomes. The Commissioner urged residents to continue supporting the police in combating crime and criminality across the state.