The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the neutralisation of three suspected bandits, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the rescue of kidnapped victims following coordinated security operations across border communities in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this on Sunday, stating that security forces had earlier thwarted an attempted attack by suspected bandits on Friday due to heavy deployment in vulnerable areas.
According to Abdullahi, the suspects attempted to attack communities around Pindiga, Billiri and Shongom, but were repelled by security operatives stationed in the border areas.
“On Friday, they tried to attack, but we had made serious deployment around that axis of Pindiga, Billiri and Shongom, which are border communities, and the bandits couldn’t make it,” he said.
He added that the attackers later struck in the early hours of Saturday at Garin Galadima in Lambo community, where one person was killed and five others abducted.
The police spokesperson said the incident prompted an immediate response from security operatives, hunters and other local vigilante groups, who pursued the suspects.
He said the pursuit led to a gun battle, during which three of the suspected bandits were neutralised.
“We neutralised three bandits, recovered two AK-47 rifles and four magazines, four motorcycles, and rescued three of the victims,” Abdullahi said.
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He disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot wound and was later confirmed dead at the hospital.
Abdullahi further revealed that a large cache of ammunition was recovered from the fleeing suspects, including 120 rounds of live ammunition.
He assured residents that security operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects, noting that some of them may have escaped with gunshot injuries.
The Gombe State Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, especially in border communities prone to criminal attacks, and urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.