The Kaduna State Police Command has refuted reports that armed bandits kidnapped several persons along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Mansur Hassan, had in a statement he released on Wednesday, urged news reporters to always confirm information before running to the press to avoid misleading the general public.
Explaining what truly transpired, the statement revealed that there had been a heavy gun duel along Kaduna-Abuja expressway between security officers and armed bandits on the 6th January, 2024 at about 23:30 hours.
The statement further called on the public around that axis to be on the watch for any person or persons nursing suspected bullet injuries and report them to the closest Police station or any security outfit as the security operatives had shot at the armed bandits.
Unfortunately, in the course of the battle, commuters crossing the highway were caught in the gunfire, and six persons sustained varying degrees of bullet injuries. They were all quickly rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.
The Police Command thereafter, described the development as “a regrettable isolated incident” noting that the Kaduna-Abuja expressway has since been secured for the use of commuters.
Finally, the statement urged the general public to ignore the “deceptive fear inducing report”.