By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A heavy gun duel along Kaduna – Abuja expressway between security operatives and armed bandits has been reported and confirmed by the Kaduna state police command, putting multitude commuters plying the road at serious risk.
Some media report earlier alleged that scores were abducted by the Bandits in the same high way, according to eyewitness account.
The incident occurred when the armed bandits in large number attempted to cross the said expressway at Dogon Fili area, heading towards Jere axis and were engaged in a fierce shout-out by the well alerted security agents who dislodged the hoodlums and ensured a lot of them only escaped but with gunshot wounds.
This was contained in the statement issued and signed on Tuesday by the command police spokesman Mansur Hassan, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
Earlier, the statement accredited to the state Commissioner of police (CP) Ali Audu Dabigi averred that “Security operatives engaged armed bandits in a fierce battle along Kaduna – Abuja expressway”,
admonishing journalists to always verify information before going to press.
“The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a misleading story going rounds on both the online and print media where it is alleged that armed bandits have abducted a score of persons along the Kaduna – Abuja highway and whisked them to an unknown place. However, in order to constrict the misinformation flow, the Command wishes to set the record straight.
“There was a heavy gun duel along Kaduna – Abuja expressway between security operatives and armed bandits on the 6th January, 2024 at 2330 hours or thereabout.
“The incident occurred when the armed bandits in large number attempted to cross the said expressway at dogon fili area heading towards Jere axis and were engaged in a fierce shout-out by the well alerted security agents who dislodged the hoodlums and ensured a lot of them only escaped but with gunshot wounds.
“Hence, the Police Command is calling on the public around that axis to be on the watch for any person or persons nursing suspected bullet injuries and report same to the closest Police station or any security outfit.
“In the course of the battle commuters plying the highway were caught in a crossfire, as six persons sustained varying degrees of bullet injuries. They are; Jibrin Tasiu ‘M’ 27 years old; Jummai Abubakar ‘F’ 20 years; Zafira Abubakar ‘F’ 11 years and; AbdulKarim Nurudeen ‘M’ 2 years. Others are L/Cpl Chinedu Jerry Moneke 37 years and Ayo James ‘M’ 42 years old. They were all rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
“The Police Command wishes to further state that this was an unfortunate isolated incident in a long time as the Kaduna – Abuja expressway has since been fortified for the use of commuters thus, the general public should disregard the misleading fear inducing story.
“Equally, the Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command, CP A.D. Ali, psc is calling on journalists to always verify their story with concerned security agencies before going to press. This he said will ensure that only the right and correct information are availed to the public”, it stated.
