The police in collaboration with hunters in Bauchi State have killed four suspected bandits and kidnappers during gun battles in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

While one civilian was killed by the hoodlums, the security agents arrested four suspects and rescued six kidnap victims.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, in a statement on Sunday, said an operation was conducted on January 9, 2023, based on reliable intelligence that around 11pm a group of armed men attacked Dan village via Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA.

Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, said during the siege, the gunmen stormed the residence of a 70-year-old man, Saleh Umar (aka Saleh Burga), and murdered him.

The victim was reportedly shot multiple times by the hoodlums.

“Upon receiving this information, police operatives were drafted and immediately arrived at the scene. But the hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the police team. The victim was rushed to Gar Primary Health Care Centre, Bauchi, but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“Nevertheless, efforts were intensified in a bid to trail and apprehend the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

“Consequently, on December 10, 2023, police operatives, in conjunction with locals, ambushed and neutralised two of the armed kidnappers, while the remaining suspects were subdued by the superior firepower of the operatives and forced to scamper in disarray into the nearest bushes with possible bullet wounds,” he added.

Wakil said one AK-47 rifle was recovered alongside three magazines and four 7.62×39mm live ammunition.

The police spokesman said on January 10, 2023, operatives attached to the command’s anti-kidnapping unit in Alkaleri, while on a routine patrol, in collaboration with hunters near Dajin Madam and Yankari forest, encountered a hut believed to be a kidnapper’s hideout.

The operatives were said to have cordoned off the area and arrested three suspects.

He said, “Consequently, a search was conducted at the suspicious hut, where 22 rounds of 7×62.51mm NATO ammunition were recovered.

“During interrogation, all three suspects confessed to have partaken in several kidnapping activities around the Alkaleri axis.

“Also, around 2.30pm on January 7, 2023, following an intelligence report, a combined team of police operatives in conjunction with local hunters, struck a kidnappers’ hideout near Mansur Forest.

“Consequently, two of the bandits were neutralised and a fabricated SMG rifle, and three operational motorcycles (Honda Bajaj) were equally recovered during the operation.” (The PUNCH)

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