Security agencies foil bandits’ midnight raid on Kebbi district head, family 

A joint security team has foiled an attempted kidnap at the residence of the District Head of Badariya, Urotu Shehu, in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State, rescuing the traditional ruler and members of his family.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the attack occurred in the early hours of July 15 when suspected kidnappers stormed the district head’s residence located in the Hubbare area of Birnin Kebbi.

Makama reported that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in Birnin Kebbi received a distress call at about 1:13am, from Alhaji Uwaisu Saad of Ubandoman Kebbi, alerting security operatives to the incident.

The report stated that the DPO mobilised a joint security team comprising police operatives, personnel of the 36 Police Mobile Force, officers of the Operations Department, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, and local vigilantes to the scene.

“According to the sources, the suspected kidnappers fled into a nearby bush on sighting the advancing security operatives, abandoning their mission,” the report stated.

Makama added that the security team rescued the district head and members of his family without any of them being abducted.

The report, however, stated that three labourers working at the residence sustained injuries during the attack and were evacuated to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi for treatment.

Makama further reported that security operatives have restored normalcy in the area, while surveillance and monitoring operations have been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.