The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed how residents of Rugar Sojidi, a Fulani settlement near Issan Makaranta, Jere in Kagarko Local Government Area of the state, resisted bandits’ attack, killing one of them on Tuesday.

The state police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, ASP, also said an AK-47 rifle and six rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene of the incident which occurred around 1.30am.

“On the 2nd of July 2024, at about 0130 hrs, the Police Operatives in Jere received information from a reliable informant regarding an invasion by armed bandits at Rugar Sojidi, a Fulani settlement near Issan Makaranta, Kagarko LGA. The bandits had kidnapped three individuals.

“Upon receiving the information, a team of police operatives was promptly mobilised to the scene. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the local inhabitants had resisted the bandits and successfully neutralised one of them.

“An AK-47 rifle and six rounds of ammunition were recovered from the scene. All the kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed,” he said.

Similarly, the police spokesman said in a separate operation, a combined team of operatives drawn from the Makarfi Divisional Patrol Team and local vigilantes foiled a robbery attack along the Kano-Zaria road.

He explained that the patrol team encountered armed robbers and suspected cattle rustlers who had blocked the road with logs of wood and stones.

However, the police chief added that a shootout ensued and that the superior firepower of the police patrol team forced the hoodlums to flee into the surrounding bushes, abandoning their “blue Gulf vehicle with number plate APP 166 DG”.

“Also, on the same date at about 0130 hrs, a Makarfi Divisional patrol team, in collaboration with local vigilantes, successfully foiled an armed robbery along the Kano-Zaria Road. The patrol team encountered armed robbers and suspected cattle rustlers who had blocked the road with logs of wood and stones.

“A shootout ensued, and the superior firepower of the police patrol team forced the criminals to flee into the surrounding bushes, abandoning their blue Gulf vehicle with registration number APP 166 DG.

“Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects are ongoing and combing of the surrounding bushes continued into the early hours of the morning.

“Patrol and monitoring activities along the highway are being intensified to ensure the free and safe movement of travellers,” he added.

Hassan said the State Commissioner of Police, Audu Dabigi commended the bravery of the Officers and assured residents of the command’s continued commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state.