Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have killed a 22-year-old suspected gunrunner and kidnapper, Nazifi Ibrahim, in Yankara village of Faskari Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, according to a statement issued to journalists yesterday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, was neutralised after a raid on his enclave in a farm in Yankara village.

He said the operatives recovered 185 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 90 live rounds of 5.56mm, M193 type 06 ammunition and 13 Ak-47 magazines “neatly concealed” in a bag after a fierce gun battle with the criminals.

He explained that many of the criminals escaped the hitherto battle ground with varying degrees of gunshots injuries, calling on residents of the state to report to the nearest police station any person seen with suspicious injuries.

The statement read in parts: “On November 11th, 2023, at about 0330hrs, based on a tip-off on the activities of some suspected kidnappers wielding dangerous weapons such as AK 47 rifles, in a farm situated at the outskirt of Yankara village, Faskari LGA, Katsina State,

“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO Faskari promptly mobilised a joint team of police operatives, members of the vigilante, and officers of the Katsina Community Security Watch Corps and responded to the scene. 

“Upon noticing the presence of the operatives, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the operatives, to which the officers valiantly returned fire, forcing the terrorists to abandon their evil plan and flee into the nearby bush.”

He added that: “While combing the scene, the body of one neutralised suspected kidnapper as well as 185 live rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 90 live rounds of 5.56mm, M193 type 06 ammunition and 13 Ak-47 magazines neatly concealed in a sack were recovered. 

“The body of the neutralised suspected kidnapper and gunrunner was later identified as one Nazifi Ibrahim,’m’, 22 years old, of Unguwar Tsamiya village, Faskari LGA. Efforts are on with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.”

He admonished residents of the state to keep providing the command and other security agencies with timely information on the activities of hoodlums for decisive action to be taken against them.