Police Rescue 171 Kidnap Victims In Katsina

A total of one hundred and seventy-one (171) kidnapped victims were rescued in Katsina State within the space of four months, the state police command says.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa, at the police headquarters while parading some suspects on Monday, said operatives also had eliminated five suspected kidnappers between June 1 and September 30, 2023.

The police mouthpiece noted that the command also recovered four AK 47 rifles, six locally made guns, 517 live rounds of ammunition, over 600 rustled animals, and 12 stolen vehicles and motorcycles during the period under review.

ASP Aliyu further stated that 1,005 suspects were arrested during the period in connection with 853 reported cases.

He added that 395 of the reported cases were currently undergoing prosecution in various courts.

The command’s spokesman also provided a breakdown of the suspects, which included 53 suspected armed robbers, 82 suspected kidnappers, 73 murder suspects, and 90 suspected rapists.

He stated that a total of 707 suspects were arrested for various offences such as criminal force, intimidation, possession of hard drugs/dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, cultism, inciting disturbance, and belonging to a gang of brigands, among others.

Gunmen Kidnap Pastor, Wife, Children In Delta

Meanwhile, some unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted an Anglican Church Pastor, Rev. Agbadamashi Emmanuel, alongside his family.

It was gathered that the Anglican Priest, his wife and children were abducted along the East-West road by Evwreni junction on Friday while they were travelling from Ughelli to the Uwheru community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Warri on Monday morning, the Public Relations Officer of the Anglican Communion, Ughelli Diocese, Hon. Justice Iyasere, said ambushed the priest and whisked him and his family into the bush to an unknown destination.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, DSP Bright Edafe, could not confirm the incident to journalists but promised to get details about the event, The PUNCH claimed.

It was also revealed that the kidnappers have not made any ransom demand as of the time of filling this report.