A joint security patrol team, including operatives of the Nigeria Police and members of the Sokoto State Community Guard have thwarted a kidnap operation on a commercial vehicle by gunmen suspected to be armed bandits.
The incident was said to have taken place at Kwanar Mahalba along Goronyo-Sabon highway in the troubled eastern senatorial district of Sokoto State.
It was gathered that seven passengers, including children, were rescued by the security operatives as other passengers ran into the bush before the arrival of security operative.
However, the bandits shot dead one of the passengers.
The rescued victims were presented to the state deputy governor, Muhammad Idris Gobir, who applauded the effort of security operatives, stressing that in the last four days, the joint patrol team has rescued a total number of 63 victims from bandits.
According to the deputy governor, the breakdown of the figure shows that 24 victims were rescued last Sunday, 39 on Monday and 7 were rescued on Wednesday.
Gobir said that efforts were being intensified by the state government in collaboration with the Federal Government in tackling the activities of Lakurawa terrorists.
He further stated that security was being beefed up in areas known to have members of Lakurawa.