Police foil bandit attack, neutralise suspect in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command says it foiled a planned bandit attack on Dansarai and Kamfani villages in Malumfashi Local Government Area, neutralising one suspected armed bandit in the process.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Katsina.

Sadiq-Aliyu said the incident occurred on Aug. 25 at about 6 p.m., following a distress call received at the Malumfashi Police Division.

He said the report indicated that suspected armed bandits riding on motorcycles were sighted moving towards the two villages.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised and led a team of operatives, alongside members of the VCRU (Violent Crime Response Unit), to the scene,” he said.

According to the PPRO, the security operatives strategically blocked the suspected bandits and engaged them in a gun duel, forcing them to flee.

“Due to the superior firepower and tactics deployed by the team, the planned attack was successfully foiled, while the bandits fled the scene in disarray.

“While scanning the area, the body of one suspected armed bandit, who was neutralised during the encounter, was recovered,” Saduq-Aliyu said.

He further said that efforts were being sustained to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, commended the operatives for their bravery and professionalism during the operation.

Umar-Fage reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring the safety and security of residents across the state.

He also appealed to members of the public to continue providing the police with timely, credible information to enable a prompt response to security threats.