Four Suspected Kidnappers Killed As Police Rescue Six Victims In Bauchi

At least four suspected kidnappers were killed in Bauchi State last week in a clash with security operatives, including men of the Nigeria Police Force and local hunters.

The police command spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, noting that six kidnapped victims were rescued in the operation in Alkeri and Kirfi Local Government Areas of the state.

Wakil explained in the statement that the bandits had killed a 70-year-old man when they invaded his residence in Dan village in Alkeri. According to him, the local identified as Saleh Umar was shot multiple times, adding that he was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Wakil’s statement reads: “Sequel to the operations that was conducted on the 09th of January, 2023 acted on reliable intelligence that at about 2300hrs, a group of armed men attacked Dan village via Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA. During the siege, the gunmen stormed the residence of Saleh Umar (aka Saleh Burga) m aged 70yrs of the same village, and murdered him.

“The victim was shot multiple times by the armed men. Upon receiving this information, police operatives were drafted and immediately arrived at the scene, but the hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the police team.

“The victim was rushed to Gar Primary Health care center Bauchi but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.”

The personnel, however, noted that efforts had been intensified in a bid to trail and apprehend the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

In another operation, Wakil said police operatives in conjunction with locals ambushed and neutralized two of the armed kidnappers on the 10th of January 2023.

He revealed that the remaining suspects were subdued by the superior firepower from the operatives, forcing them to scamper in disarray into the nearest bushes with possible bullet wounds.

Wakil noted that one (1) Ak47 rifle was recovered alongside three (3) magazines and four (4) 7.62×39mm live ammunition during the operation.

He disclosed further that three suspected kidnappers were nabbed and a hut suspected to belong to the bandits in Dajin Madam and Yankari forest was destroyed.

He said the suspects confessed to having engaged in several kidnappings, adding that twenty-two rounds of 7×62.51mm NATO ammunition were recovered.

“Also, on 07/01/2023 at about 1430hrs following an intelligence report, a combined team of police operatives in conjunction with local hunters strikes kidnappers’ hideout near Mansur forest,” he added.

The statement added: “Consequently, two of the bandits were neutralized and fabricated SMG riffle, and three operational motorcycles (Honda Bajaj) were equally recovered during the operation.

“In related developments, operatives attached the commands anti-kidnapping unit base 4, Alkaleri in conjunction with professional hunters engaged suspected kidnappers at Yankari forest via Jada.

“During the operation, five (5) kidnapped victims who were believed to have been kidnapped from Cheledi village of kirfi LGA of Bauchi state were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families. Similarly, one suspect was arrested during the operation, while a locally fabricated pistol and the sum of ninety thousand-naira cash (N90, 000.00) were recovered from the suspects.”

Wakil confirmed also that the operatives also rescued a 14-year-old girl from Maimadi warden in Alkaleri and recovered one AK47 rifle during the operation.