Police in Katsina State have thwarted two kidnapping attempts by suspected terrorists, rescuing 20 passengers in Jibia and Faskari local government areas.
A statement on Sunday by police spokesperson in Katsina, Abubakar Aliyu, said the first incident occurred on Saturday at Kwanar Makera along the Katsina-Magamar Jibia road in Jibia LGA.
He said armed terrorists, wielding AK-47 rifles, opened fire on a commercial vehicle with the intent to abduct its passengers but police operatives swiftly responded, engaging the attackers in a fierce gunfight and rescuing all 10 passengers unharmed.
He added that the assailants fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
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In a separate incident the same day, police thwarted another kidnapping attempt at Marabar Bangori on the Funtua-Gusau road in Faskari LGA.
Terrorists, Aliyu said, ambushed a vehicle carrying 10 passengers but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police, resulting in the successful rescue of all the passengers.