The Katsina State Police Command has rescued four kidnapping victims and recovered an AK-47 rifle after repelling a bandit attack in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
The victims, comprising three women and a nursing baby, were abducted during an attack on Makwanta village in the early hours of Wednesday.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday.
According to the statement, “On September 16, 2026, at approximately 12:22 am, a distress call was received at the Dutsin-Ma Divisional Police Headquarters reporting that armed bandits had attacked Makwanta village and abducted three female residents.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) immediately mobilised a team of operatives to the scene. The team strategically tracked and blocked the fleeing bandits along the Dutsin-Ma-Danmusa LGA border and engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel.”
The command said the police overpowered the attackers, forcing them to escape into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
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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. Police said they were all rescued unhurt.
Sadiq further said, “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.”
According to the command, efforts were continuing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the DPO and his operatives for their “gallantry, tactical precision, and swift response.”
Fage also assured residents that the command would maintain its operations against banditry and other violent crimes across the state.
He called on members of the public to remain alert and promptly share useful information with security agencies to support efforts to safeguard lives and property.
The police said updates would be provided as the investigation into the attack progresses.