Police in Katsina State have rescued four kidnapped victims, including a nursing baby, after foiling a bandit attack in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
According to Channels, the operation followed a distress call over the abduction of three women from Makwanta Village in the early hours of Wednesday.
Police operatives tracked the fleeing bandits towards the Dutsin-Ma–Danmusa border, where a gun battle broke out.
The attackers eventually fled into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries, abandoning the victims, who were rescued unharmed.
Police recover rifle, ammunition
Security personnel recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition from the scene.
Other items recovered included a Tecno mobile phone, three MP3 players, a knife and three wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
Katsina Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage praised the officers involved for their response and tactical operation.
Police spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq said efforts were continuing to track down the fleeing suspects.
The command also urged residents to provide credible information that could help security agencies combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
The latest operation comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to confront bandit groups operating in communities across Katsina and other parts of north-west Nigeria.
