In a statement, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, said the bandits had wanted to attack some villages in Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe and Bukkuyum local governments but were repelled following intelligence information.
Shehu said, ”Between Friday 28th to Sunday 30th October, 2022, the Command received intelligence report on bandits’ plan to attack some villages in Bukkuyum, Tsafe, Bungudu, Gusau and Maru LGAs for abduction.
“On getting the information, the Police Tactical Operatives, in conjunction with the vigilante, embarked on rigorous patrol thereby repelling the planned attacks and further sustained confidence building patrol to avert any threat on such communities.”
He maintained that the collaborative effort of the Police and vigilante had also led to the rescue of four kidnapped victims, including a one-year-old child.
The rescue of the victims, according to Shehu, was sequel to the report received by the police on the abduction of the victims, where a search and rescue operation was carried out and the victims were successfully rescued unhurt.
“In the course of debriefing, the victims informed the Police that, on 14th October, 2022, bandits in their large number invaded Kuraje village in Gusau LGA and abducted four of them to Munhaye forest in Tsafe LGA where they spent 15 days in captivity.
“The victims were taken to Police Clinic for medical check-up and later reunited with their families.
“The Commissioner of Police, while reassuring the public on the Command’s commitment to restoring peace and security in the state, congratulated the victims on regaining their freedom and urged all and sundry to be security-conscious and report suspicious movement to the Police or any security agency for prompt action.”
