The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped victims, including a pastor, his wife, four children, and two other travellers.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, gave the name of the pastor as Ozigi Hassan of the Mercy Place Ministry Church, Kudenda. He identified the other rescued victims as Yusuf Sirajo of Jega Town, Kebbi State and Kabiru Yahaya, a staff of Birnin Gwari LGA.

“On the 27th April, 2021 at 0200hrs the Command received a report from DPO Kakuri that some suspected bandits in large number gained access into the residence of one Pastor Ozigi Hassan of Mercy Place Ministry Church, Kudenden and abducted him, his wife and their four (4) children and were heading the forest.

“However, on getting the wind of the incident, Operatives were immediately drafted to the area, who gave the bandits a hot chase deep into the forest, engaged them in a gun duel which forced the bandits to take to their heels with bullet wounds.

“Meanwhile the Pastor and his Four (4) children were successfully rescued safely but unfortunately the bandits whisked away the wife one Mrs Fulaki Ozigi into the forest,” Jalige said.

“On the 27th April, 2021 at about 1520hrs the Command received a report from DPO Buruku that some Gunmen had attacked a commuting vehicle along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Highway, by Labi forest in their attempt to kidnap and dispossess the victims of their valuables.

“Operatives who tactically engaged the bandits forcing them to flee into the forest with bullet injuries while the following persons namely; (1) Yusuf Sirajo of Jega Town, Kebbi State (2) Kabiru Yahaya ‘M’ staff of Birnin Gwari LGA Secretariat were safely rescued and subsequently reunited with their families.”