Two suspected kidnappers and a vigilante have been killed during a gun battle with a team of security operatives in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
An unknown number of the suspected kidnapers escaped with gunshot wounds during the encounter between Police operatives attached to Tulu Division and vigilante group in the area.
The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, stated this in a statement made available to journalists in the state on Thursday.
He said that intelligence reports available to the Police at the Tulu Division, indicated that suspected kidnappers blocked Tulu-Rishi Road on 26th August, 2022 and kidnapped one Alhaji Alhassan Gambo of Anguwan Bawa in Kaduna State and shot one Alh Mujitafa Usman of Funtua LGA Katsina State who was on a business trip to the area.
He further said that on receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer mobilized his men and the vigilante to go after the suspects.
According to him, the team intercepted the suspected kidnappers at Doka Auwalu Mountain in Toro LGA, and engaged them in a gun battle which to the killing of two of them (kidnappers), adding that it was in the process that one of the vigilante members was also killed.
He said that three kidnapped victims were rescued by the team unhurt.
The Police Spokesman said: “In furtherance of our commitment to crackdown on criminal elements, on 27th August, 2022 at about 9.00pm, credible intelligence available at the disposal of Tulu Divisional Police headquarters on the activities of suspected kidnappers, that on the 26th August 2022 suspected kidnappers blocked Tulu-Rishi Road.
“They kidnapped one Alh Alhassan Gambo of anguwan Bawa, Kaduna State and shot one Alh Mujitafa Usman of Funtua LGA Katsina State who was on a business trip to Tulu.
“Later, on 28 August, 2022, a combined team of policemen led by Divisional Police Officer Tulu Division and vigilante embarked on combing their enclave on intelligence report.
“On 29th August, 2022, suspected kidnappers were intercepted at Doka Auwalu Mountain of Tama ward Toro LGA, swiftly engaged in a gun duel, following hot exchange of superior firepower from the operatives, two of the suspects were neutralized at the spot, whereas others were subdued and scampered in disarray with gunshot wounds into the nearby forest.
“Unfortunately, one vigilante member paid a supreme price in the process.
“Consequently, the operatives successfully rescued the following victims: Alh Alhassan Gambo, male (60) of Anguwan Bawa Kaduna State; Badamasi Saadu and Abdullahi Sani.
“The aforementioned victims were rescued by the operatives unhurt and subsequently reunited with families after medical examination.”
Wakil said that after follow-up and intensed surveillance in the area, two suspects were apprehended during the operation who were found wandering aimlessly in the area.
He said that investigation is ongoing to establish their connection or otherwise with the suspected kidnappers.
“While commending the operatives, the commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda, equally commiserated with the family of the vigilante member who sacrificed his life while protecting life and property of the citizens,” he said.
Similarly, the PPRO further stated that Detectives attached to the Rapid Response Squad of the Command, led by the Commander, arrested 22 youths mostly teenagers who belong to a notorious group of thugs.
He said that the thugs who were heavily armed with dangerous weapons attacked members of a vigilante in the Bakin Kura area of the Bauchi metropolis.
According to him, the suspects inflicted serious injuries on two members of the group.
He said, “On 30th August, 2022 at about 1.00pm, intelligence was at the Command’s disposal that on the same date about 12.35pm, a group of notorious thugs attacked members of peace and security committee Bakin Kura office, armed with cutlasses, knives, sticks and other dangerous weapons, thereby mercilessly inflicted serious injuries to the following committee members namely: Danladi Suleiman (32) and Yakubu Ibrahim (42).
“On receiving the information, a team of detectives led by the Commander Rapid Response Squad (RRS) swiftly swung into action to the scene and succeeded in arresting twenty-two (22) male suspects.”
He gave the names of the suspects are: Aliyu Adamu, alias U’U (15) of Bakaro; Ukasha Abubakar alias Ukasha Yaro (20) of Kofar mukaddas; Abdulmalik Abdullahi alias Abba Juga (18) of Kandahar; Nura Inuwa alias yellow (17) of Bakaro; Umar Abdullahi alias Faruq (18) of Malan Goje; Mohammed Koli alias Uncle (18); Umar Sulaiman alias Babaji (23) and Ibrahim Idris alias Iri (15).
Others are: Kabiru Shehu (14); Musa Usman alias Maidawa (14); Buhari Sani alias Di Maria (18); Aliyu Yakubu alias Ali luta; Isah Nuhu alias Halacci; Abdulsamat Aliyu alias Maikaji; Muhammad Umar alias Dan wasa and
Aliyu Adamu Aliyu alias Remo.
According to him, others arrested are: Abubakar Adamu alias Habule; Mujahid Abdullahi alias James; Ibrahim Yunusa alias Dan-mama; Mubarak Ismail alias Dangongo; Abdullahi Garba alias Dan Alhaji and Khalid Kabiru alias Abba (21).
“During the investigation, contrabands namely one sharp animal horn, one knife, one block of green leaves suspected to be cannabis, 83 pieces of suspected diazepam (D5 tablet) and 138 yellow tablets suspected to be diazepam (D5) were found from one of the suspects Ibrahim Inusa, allias Dan Mama.
“Subsequently, all the suspects confessed to the crime, as the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda, directed that the suspects be charged to court.
“In keeping with our constitutional mandate to maintain law and order and ensure the safety as well as the well-being of the citizens of the State at all times, the Commissioner of Police directed that a special operation be mounted to protect citizens, especially in this period.
“Therefore, coordinated patrols and surveillance would be carried out at a strategic locations across the State to ensure that any criminal element is apprehended and de-mobilized without collateral damage to the citizens,” he said.
