Police and other security agents in Katsina on Thursday foiled attacks on three residential quarters in Jibia Township, Jibia Local Government Area of the state, and rescued 21 abducted persons.
The spokesman for the state police command, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Katsina.
He said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the men of the Nigerian Army, members of the State Community Watch Corps, and Vigilantes.
The spokesman said: “In a swift and coordinated response, we successfully foiled simultaneous bandits’ attacks at Ka’ida, Unguwar One Boy, and Danmarke quarters in Jibia Township, Katsina State, on November 7.
“At about 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, suspected armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on the two communities.
“However, the swift response of the joint security team led by the DPO Jibia repelled the attackers, resulting in a fierce gun duel that lasted for over an hour.
“The superior firepower and tactical advantage of the joint security team eventually forced the bandits to retreat with unspecified casualties as the operation resulted in the successful rescue of 16 victims trapped by the bandits.”
Sadiq-Aliyu revealed that another five persons rescued sustained gunshot injuries from the bandits’ attack, and they were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
He added: “Sadly, one member of the state’s security outfit, and a vigilante member lost their lives during the encounter.”