Police in collaboration with local hunter groups have killed five suspected kidnappers in a gun duel on the outskirts of Jama’are in Bauchi State.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Bauchi Command, Auwal Musa Mohammed disclosed this to reporters in a press briefing in his office on Thursday.
He said a team of police operatives in partnership with a quasi-security also recovered three AK 47 rifles, one SMG rifle, three empty magazines, 105 rounds of live ammunition and one cutlass were recovered from the gang.
“The shootout occurred in the nighttime of 29th August 2023, on the outskirts of Jamaare town. The Police operatives, in line with the mandate of Operation Restore Peace (ORP) in collaboration with local hunters, were carrying out routine surveillance and raids of suspected criminal hide-outs, when they suddenly came under gunfire attack from a heavily armed criminal gang.
“The Operatives fought back gallantly, repelling the attack and eventually neutralized five of the gang leaders therein, whilst the remaining gang members fled,” he added.
Bauchi Assembly Decries Spate of Killings, Kidnapping in Ningi LGA
Musa said the command is committed to ensuring that criminals have no hiding place, adding that “It must be reemphasized here that safety and security is not the sole responsibility of security agencies alone, hence members of the public are encouraged to play a vital role towards ensuring peace by availing the Police with useful information at all times.”
Recently, activities of suspected kidnappers soared in Bauchi notably in Ningi, Toro and Alkaleri local government areas.
After becoming disturbed by the growing kidnapping and armed robbery cases, the Bauchi State House of Assembly adopted a motion mandating the state government to end the menace.
