In the Dutsinma local government region of Katsina State’s Buraji and Sabon Sara villages, police officers on duty on Friday prevented a potential terrorist strike.
Gambo Isah, the state police command’s spokesman, acknowledged the incident in a statement on Saturday and said that 21 hostages taken by the terrorists were freed as a result of the operation.
He claimed that six children and 15 women made up the group of people who had been rescued.
He continued by saying that while many terrorists were killed, some managed to flee the area wounded by gunfire.
The statement read: “At about 0430hrs on Friday, a distress call was received that terrorists in their numbers attacked Buraji and Sabon Sara villages. 15 women and six children were kidnapped and 20 cows were rustled.
“On receipt of the information, Area Commander, Dutsinma, Mohammad Makama, led a team of Police Tactical Units, blocked their exit route at Gandun Sarki village, engaged them into a fierce gun duel, and successfully rescued all 21 kidnapped victims and recovered 20 rustled cows.
“Many terrorists were killed and some escaped the scene with gunshot wounds. Tactical teams are still combing the area with a view of recovering their dead bodies and/or arresting the injured terrorists. The investigation is ongoing.”
