Police operatives in Katsina State have apprehended a notorious kidnapper in a gun duel.
The police command revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday through its spokesman, ASP Abubakar Aliyu.
According to Aliyu, operatives recovered a large cache of ammunition during the operation.
The suspect, Nazifi Ibrahim, 22, is a resident of Unguwar Tsamiya village, Faskari Local Government Area of the state, Goldennewsng learnt.
“On November 11, 2023, at about 03:30 a.m., based on a tip-off, some suspected kidnappers wielding dangerous weapons such as AK 47 rifles invaded a farm situated at the outskirts of Yankara village.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO of Faskari promptly mobilised a joint team of police operatives, members of the vigilante, and officers of the Security Watch Corps to the scene,” the police spokesperson confirmed.
He reported that the operatives of the combined team were met with gunfire from the kidnappers, but they retaliated and caused the terrorists to abandon their scheme and escape into the wilderness.
“While combing the scene, the police recovered the body of one neutralised suspected kidnapper, as well as 185 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 90 live rounds of 5.56mm M193 type 06 ammunition, and 13 AK-47 magazines concealed in a sack.
“The body of the neutralised suspected kidnapper and gunrunner was later identified as one Nazifi Ibrahim, 22, of Unguwar Tsamiya village, Faskari local government,” the police spokesperson revealed, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects as investigations continue.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, commended the operatives’ professionalism, synergy, and bravery.
The police spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining effective collaboration between officers and DPOs with relevant security agencies in their respective areas. Additionally, the public was urged to provide timely information on criminal activities to aid in the eradication of crime in the state.
