Zamfara State Police Command has debunked the reports that went round that 60 persons were abducted on Sokoto-Gusau Road on Sunday, July 25, 2021, saying that nine were abducted while police operatives dislodged the rest of the bandits from perpetrating further crime.
The command, on Tuesday, July 27, drew attention to the story trending on social and conventional media that armed bandits blocked Sokoto- Gusau Road and abducted 60 people travelling from Sokoto to Abuja.
In its clarification, the command, through its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu said: “The command wishes to debunk the story and viewed it as inaccurate and a calculated attempt by some mischief makers to create fear and apprehension into the minds of the general public, especially the commuters.
“For the avoidance of doubt and purpose of clarity, the Command is hereby giving the accurate report of the incident.”
According to the PPRO, police tactical operatives attached to ‘Operation Restore Peace’ were alerted, prompting their movement to the area where they dislodged the hoodlums who blocked many vehicles for the abduction of passengers.
The road was said to have been cleared immediately for motorists and other road users, while additional police operatives were reinforced to improve the security and safety of the commuters.
Shehu added: “In the course of mopping up the scene, a Toyota bus belonging to Sokoto State Mass Transit was sighted empty and it was revealed that 11 passengers, including the driver, were abducted before the arrival of the police.
“The operatives further embarked on search-and-rescue operation in the surrounding bush, with a view to rescuing the kidnapped victims.”
He stated further that two of the abducted passengers were left behind with other hoodlums and were thereafter abandoned by their captors for fear of being neutralised by the police operatives, while the remaining nine victims were taken into the forest.
“The Command is currently employing various search-and-rescue strategies aimed at rescuing the victims safely.
“In view of the above, the Command enjoined members of the public to discountenance the abduction of 60 people. On the other hand, members of the press are urged to always verify the authenticity of any information that comes their way before publishing,” the PPRO said.
