Katsina police rescue seven kidnap victims after midnight attacks in Kurba and Malumfashi, reuniting all survivors with their families

In a swift and decisive response to recent attacks in Katsina State, the police have rescued at least seven individuals kidnapped by gunmen in separate incidents.

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The successful operations took place in Kurba village, Kankara Local Government Area, and the Malumfashi Local Government Area.

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed that five women abducted during a late-night raid on Kurba village were freed after officers from the Dutsin-Ma Police Division responded immediately to a distress call.

The command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, revealed  on Tuesday that the rescue followed a gun battle between officers and the kidnappers.

“Our men rescued five women. The gunmen attacked the community around midnight. We responded swiftly, which resulted in the rescue of the victims. There was a shoot-out, but we successfully rescued the abducted women,” he stated.

The women have since been reunited with their families, bringing relief to the local community that has been grappling with increasing insecurity.

In a related development, two other kidnap victims, Hafsat Amadu and Musa Sani, were rescued during a separate operation in the Malumfashi LGA. They had been abducted after armed bandits attacked Gidan Filoti and Gidan Mairabo villages.

According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the Divisional Police Officer of Malumfashi led a joint security team to the Burdugau area, a known hideout for criminal elements.

“The security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee with bullet wounds and abandoning the captives. Both victims were rescued unhurt and have since been reunited with their families,” Makama wrote.

These incidents add to a growing number of kidnappings in Katsina, a state that has witnessed rising levels of banditry and violent crime in recent years.

The latest successes by the police are a positive step in combating the menace, although residents remain cautious and call for more sustained efforts to ensure long-term security.