The Katsina State Police Command says its operatives have foiled a bandit attack in Makwanta village, Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area, rescuing four kidnapped victims.
The victims, comprising three females and a nursing baby, were reportedly abducted after armed bandits invaded the community around 12:22am on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
Sadiq said the Dutsin-Ma Divisional Police Officer quickly mobilised operatives to the community after receiving a distress call about the attack.
He said the officers pursued the fleeing bandits and intercepted them around the Dutsin-Ma-Danmusa border, leading to a gun battle.
According to him, the security operatives overpowered the attackers, forcing them to escape into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
The rescued victims were identified as 14-year-old Marawiya Musa, 50-year-old Mariya Ibrahim, 21-year-old Amina Ibrahim and a nursing baby.
The police spokesman said all four victims were rescued without injuries.
“During a search of the area, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, a Tecno mobile phone, three MP3 players, a knife and three wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp,” Sadiq stated.
He added that the command had intensified efforts to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the officers involved, describing their response as an example of “gallantry, tactical precision, and swift response.”
Fage also assured residents that the command would continue operations against banditry and other violent crimes across the state.
He urged members of the public to remain alert and promptly share useful information with security agencies to help prevent attacks and protect lives and property.
The police said updates on the investigation and efforts to arrest the suspects would be released as they become available.
