Security forces in Kaduna State successfully prevented a kidnapping in the Birnin Gwari area, securing the release of nine individuals. DSP Mansir Hassan, the state’s police spokesperson, reported that the operation began Wednesday afternoon after intelligence confirmed a group of 15 armed men had targeted farm workers near Unguwan Sa’idu Village.
Acting on this information, the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer deployed police units and local vigilante members. A gun battle ensued, during which the suspects were overpowered and fled into the forest, leaving behind their bound captives. The nine rescued individuals—Hudu Rabiu, Yusuf Sagir, Sagir Rabiu, Muhammad Kabir, Kabir Lawal, Idris Abubakar, Mustapha Zayyanu, Kabiru Rabiu, and Usman Lawal—were safely reunited with their families.
Tragically, the mission concluded with a setback as two police officers were killed in a separate ambush by suspected bandits while returning from the rescue. Kaduna Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, expressed his condolences, acknowledging the officers’ sacrifice. Authorities stated that active investigations are underway to capture those responsible for both the abduction and the subsequent ambush.
