Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police
Abasifreke Effiong – Uyo
The Nigeria Police said they have rescued nine police officers who were kidnapped on 8th November, 2020 in Katsina State.
The police officers went missing around Kankara town and Sheme in Katsina State after a commercial bus they were traveling in was attacked by armed men, whom the police say were all dressed in military camouflage.
The Nigeria Police in a press release on Friday 20th November signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba,
said the officers, all Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), were on their way to Gusau in Zamfara State from Maiduguri when they were kidnapped.
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“Covert operation to locate and rescue the officers commenced immediately they were discovered missing en-route to their destination. Thus, the apparent delay in commenting on the unfortunate incident was a deliberate decision aimed at protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the rescue operation and the concomitant safety of the officers.”
“It is also important to state that preliminary investigation has shown that the attack on the vehicle was an opportunistic crime as the officers were all traveling in mufti, unarmed and alongside other private citizens in the commercial vehicle. The total number of officers involved in the incident is nine (9) and not twelve (12) as previously, wrongly reported in some sections of the media.”
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The release indicated that two of the officers were wounded during the attack by the bandits and are receiving medical attention in a hospital.
The release added that the Police are carrying out follow-up investigation into the incident.
