Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, said its operatives have foiled a kidnapping attempt and cattle rustling in Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State.

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, PRO, said the incident occurred when armed assailants attacked a shepherd, inflicted serious injuries on him, and abducted his two children while attempting to rustle livestock.

It said that, following intelligence information, NSCDC personnel stationed around the nearby Dansoshiya Forest swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the criminals in a gun duel, adding that the personnel’s superior firepower forced the suspects to abandon the kidnapped children and flee into the forest with injuries.

According to the statement, those rescued include Abubakar Saleh, 36, and Muhammed Inuwa Dille, 30, who were reunited with their family, while the injured shepherd, 70-year-old Alhaji Saleh, was taken to a health centre for immediate medical assistance.

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Commissioner, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, on Wednesday disclosed that two bandits belonging to a gang that have been terrorizing the capital city have been shot dead.

Sanusi disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Command on Wednesday, said he led the operation that resulted in their deaths.

The gang was trailed over the abduction of five residents of Paze community in Byazhin ward of Bwari Area Council last week.

Bandits had kidnapped five people including a pastor, while a local vigilante member identified as Shuaibu Yerima was shot dead during an invasion of Paze community on Thursday.

But the police boss said the kidnapped victims were rescued during the operation involving a team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the NPF Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and Kubwa Area Command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups.

The operation reportedly led to the arrest of suspects identified as Icheh Mohammadu and Abubakar Usman, while other gang members reportedly fled into nearby hills.

“And during the operation, the police team also recovered two AK-47 rifles with magazines, while two of the gang members were arrested during the crossfire,” he said.

He said it was at approximately 9:00 p:m on Tuesday, when he led the joint security team to launched an intensive search, clearance, and rescue operation across Paze and Byazhin communities.

CP Sanusi said the five rescued victims have since been taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families

A devastating rainstorm has killed a 50-year-old woman and her four-year-old granddaughter, while leaving a trail of destruction in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The victims, identified as Aisha Sagir and Aisha Shuaibu, died after heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds battered Katsinawa Bara Village on Wednesday morning.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Command said the downpour, which occurred at about 10 am, caused extensive damage to houses, livestock, and other property valued at millions of naira.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Nafiu Ahmed, the police described the incident as a tragic weather-related disaster that has thrown the affected community into mourning.

The statement noted that officers from the Kirfi Divisional Police Headquarters were deployed to the area to assess the situation, support affected residents, and ensure public order.

Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu expressed condolences to the bereaved family and residents of the local government area over the loss of lives.

He also sympathised with families whose homes and means of livelihood were destroyed by the storm, praying for strength and comfort for those affected.

The police commissioner further assured residents that the command would continue to work with relevant agencies on emergency response efforts, while urging the public to take precautionary measures and promptly report emergencies during the rainy season.