The Zamfara State police command on the eve of the new year rescued 21 Islamiyya school Children from captivity of bandits.
The police however confirmed that one Islamiyya school teacher, Mallam Lawali Ibrahim and a driver, whose identity was not disclosed are being held in captivity.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday at the police headquarters in Gusau, the command public relations officer SP Shehu Mohammed said the victims were rescued by security operatives after a gun battle with the bandits.
According him, the Islamiyya school Children and their school teacher were traveling to Dandume in Katsina State when the suspected armed bandits blocked the highway and abducted them.
“On 31st December, 2021 at about 2300hrs, a distress call was received from Kucheri Village Via Tsafe LGA that, Armed Bandits in their large number blocked Gusau – Funtua Federal Highway at Kucheri axis, and abducted unspecified number of commuters in five different vehicles.
“Police Tactical Operatives in Conjunction with the Military promptly responded to the distress call and moved to scene, where they engaged the hoodlums to a serious gun battle”.
“The Police Operatives Succeeded in rescuing twenty one kidnapped children including two female who were coming from Rini Village in Bakura LGA to Katsina State for Almajiri Islamiyya School along with their Scholar named Lawali Ibrahim”.
He said the commissioner of police CP Ayuba Elkana deployed police tactical operatives to ensure the prompt rescue of the kidnapped victims.
He maintained that the Commissioner of Police has already sent reinforcement of Police operatives to complement the effort of the joint security operatives currently working to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The Command however called on the general public especially drivers and passengers to desist from night journey.
“The night is the period that is mostly used by the bandits to block road and kidnapped commuters in the state.
“The Police Command will continue to work assiduously to ensure the safety and security of the people in the State” he added.
