Bandits, kidnappers Neutralised in gun battle in Bauchi

An unspecified number of suspected bandits and kidnappers have been killed in a fierce gun battle when men of the Nigeria Police Force in collaboration with other security agencies launched an attack at their enclaves at Dajin Madam and at the popular Yankari Game Reserve’s forest in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Many others escaped with gunshot wounds in the operation that took place on December 31st, 2022.

This is coming barely days after a similar operation by a joint team of security agents at four different hideouts of Mansur, Digare, Gwana and Dajin Madam in Alkaleri forest.

During the battle, no fewer than 12 notorious bandits and kidnappers including their kingpin, Madaki Mansur, notorious for terrorising Alkaleri LGA, Taraba, Plateau and Gombe States, were killed.

The operation which took place on the 19th December 2022 at about 2.30am, led to the recovery of weapons and operational motorcycles belonging to the bandits and kidnappers.

The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, in a media statement of the latest onslaught on the terrorists said that two AK-47 rifles were recovered from them.

Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said, “In an ongoing effort to stem the kidnapping activities in the state, the Command conducted another Joint Operation in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi on the eve of the new year.

“The Operatives attached to the Command in conjunction with other sister security agencies strike kidnappers/bandits’ hideouts at Dajin Madam and Yankari’s thick forests.

“During the daring operation, several bandits were neutralized and dislodged from their enclaves, while the remaining sprinted in disarray into the deep forest with possible bullet wounds.

“In the same vein, the troops sustained patrol and clearance operations around the thick forests to arrest the fleeing suspects. Consequently, two (2) AK-47 rifles were recovered during the operation.

“Furthermore, the command is recording unprecedented success in the fight against the kidnapping menace in the state, as unrelenting Police Operations in the affected areas hugely impacted the kidnapping activities, thereby denying the kidnappers/bandits a breathing space to carry out their nefarious activities at Rimi, Magama Bagwas, Mansur, Pali and Yalo villages.”

He added that in a related development, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit Base 4 of the Command arrested two suspected kidnappers.

According to him, the suspects confessed to have kidnapped four people and camped them the Yankari Game Reserve Forest and collected a ransom of N20 million.

“On the 27th of December, 2022 at about 4.00pm by the Operatives attached to the Command Anti-Kidnapping unit Base 4, following credible intelligence available at their disposals.

“The suspect Adamu Mohammed, (33) was arrested alongside his accomplice Datti Alh. Bulama (AKA Dattuwa) (35) all males of maimadi ward via Pali district.

“Investigation revealed that the principal suspect (Adamu Muhammad) confessed to having participated in kidnapping activities in Kaltanga village where they kidnapped four (4) people and camped them at Yankari Forest for about five (5) days until the sum of N20 million was paid as ransom. Out of which, the sum of N30,000 was given to him as his share of the proceeds of the crime,” Wakil stated.

The Command’s Spokesman who said investigation was in progress after which the suspects would be charged to court for prosecution, conveyed the commendation of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Aminu Alhassan, to the operatives, for their efforts and doggedness in combatting crime in the state.

He said that the police boss reiterated the readiness of the Command to operate in synergy with other sister security agencies towards improving the security disposition of the state.

(Punch)