By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
No fewer than 16 victims who were kidnapped have been rescued by a team of security agents comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other quasi security outfits.
The team also killed scores of suspected kidnappers, who have been terrorizing Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, during an exchange of fire which lasted for over two hours.
The team under the Operation Restore Peace, raided the suspected kidnappers’ enclaves and killed scores of them with several others injured in Burra Forest, Ningi LGA of Bauchi State.
These were disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, in a press release made available to journalists in the state on Sunday.
According to him, the incident happened on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 adding that five of victims sustained various degrees of injuries while the remaining 11 were rescued unhurt.
“On September 2nd, 2023 at about 3.00pm, Police operatives in line with Operation Restore Peace comprising Police, military and other quasi-security outfits, particularly local hunters on a routine patrol stormed into the kidnappers’ den located on top of the mountain situated at Shande village area of Kurmi, a village at the outskirts of Burra.
“On sighting the team of combined operatives, the kidnappers started firing at the operatives. However, in response, the operatives repelled the kidnappers with superior firepower which lasted for about 2 hours,” he said.
Wakil added that: “As a result, 16 kidnapped victims were rescued, out of which five kidnapped victims sustained various degrees of injuries while the remaining 11 were rescued unhurt.
“The following are the injured victims rescued: Alh. Shuaibu, male, of Kurmi village Burra; Alh. Bammi, male, of Kongoro village Burra; Mai Unguwa Shende village, Burra; Dantsoho Mai Shayi, male, of Kurmi village Burra; Abubakar, male, of Matigwai village Sumaila LGA Kano State.
“They were evacuated to Burra General Hospital for immediate medical treatment.
“The remaining 11 victims rescued unhurt are namely: Zahariya Ibrahim, (17) female, of Dana Village, Burra; Walida Idi (16), female, of Sabon Gida Mazai village, Burra; Maryam Shehu (25), female, of Sabon Gida Mazai village, Burra; Abubakar Adamu (15) male, of Ruwan Dinya village, Burra; Muntari Badamasi (40), male, of Shaka Leme village, Burra and Ibrahim Abdullahi (15), male, of Ruwan Dinya village, Burra.
“Others are: Sani Abdullahi (10) male, of Ruwan Dinya village, Burra; Ibrahim Rabi’u, (30), male, of Shaka Leme village, Burra; Saleh Umaru (@35) male, of Matigwai village, Sumaila LGA, Kano State; Isah Alh. Tashi (20) male, of Kere Village, Burra and Tasi’u Abdullahi (30) male, of Shaka Leme village Burra.
“Similarly, the successful operation led to the neutralization of so many kidnappers/bandits as a result of the exchange of heavy gunfire.”
According to the Police Spokesman, efforts are being intensified to arrest and prosecute the fleeing suspects with possible bullet wounds, adding that investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
He said that the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, Auwal Muhammad, has urged members of the public to immediately report any suspicious person(s) and/or with suspected bullet wounds visiting any medical care centers to the nearest police station; or call police emergency/toll number; 08151849417.
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.