Police Rescue 13 Abducted Persons In Katsina

Police in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria have rescued 13 persons  abducted at Gatakawa village in Kankara Local Government Area of the state.

The rescue followed a report that gunmen suspected to be bandits on motorbikes, fully armed with AK 47 rifles, attacked Gatakawa village, abducted 13 people, broke into a number of shops and carted away food items.

However, a team of Operation Puff Adder led by the Divisional Police Officer of Kankara Division went to the village engaged the criminals in a gun duel which forced the terrorists to beat a retreat.

Gambo Isah, a Superintendent of Police and  Police Public Relations Officer in Katsina State, during a press briefing on Monday said that beside rescuing the abducted persons, the police team  also recovered all the stolen items by the bandits.

Isah said search parties were still combing the area to arrest  wounded criminals or get their dead bodies as investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the command has apprehended a notorious fraudster, who specialises in  defrauding  members of the public by parading himself as a Nigerian Air Force officer.

The suspected fraudster identified as Khamisu Abdullahi of W02 Quarters at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, was apprehended based on authentic and credible intelligence since November 12, at about midday, the police spokesperson said.

Isah told journalists that the suspect was reportedly using false bank transfer alerts and other similar tricks to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

According to him, the suspect on November 24,  around 10:11p.m. dressed in a Nigerian Air Force Uniform bearing the name K. Abdullahi with Captain rank approached one car dealer, Muhammadu Isah, in Alfrah Motors Limited, IBB Way, Katsina Girka, and introduced himself as an Air Force Captain who just returned from the United Kingdom and was posted to Katsina for a special assignment as a pilot.

Isa said the suspected fraudster demanded to buy a Toyota Corolla S, 2016 Model, valued at over N5 million.

He reportedly  called the car dealer to meet him at a First Bank branch, Yahaya Madawaki Way, Katsina, to collect his money for the car.

“In the process, he deceitfully filled a bank transfer teller for the sum of (N5,400,000:00K), stamped with his fabricated fake stamp and asked the victim to sign. He later created a fake bank alert of the said amount and showed it to the victim who believed it to be true and genuine,” Isah said.

“They later proceeded to Alfra motors where the fake military captain deceitfully took the vehicle and left to an unknown destination. Hence he reported the matter to the police. In the course of the investigation, the suspect was accosted with the stolen vehicle at Hunkuyi Junction on the highway along Danja to Zaria.”

The police PRO added that the suspect confessed to have used the same modus operandi on that fateful date to deceitfully collect one I-Phone X valued at N185,000 from one Abdulwahab, of Unguwar Alkali Quarters, Katsina, which was also recovered from him..

He noted that during the police search, the following items were recovered in the possession of the suspect.

One T-Shirt with Captain rank and UN Badge, one Toyota Corolla, 2016 Model,

Three I-Phone GSM handsets and one Infinix phone.

Other items recovered in his possession include one fabricated fake First Bank rubber stamp, two fake stamped First Bank Tellers, Motor vehicle documents Stamp pad.

Isah disclosed that police investigation also revealed that the suspect was a habitual offender and an ex-convict who had been convicted severally for similar offences in Kaduna State.