The Katsina State Police Command has said that contrary to stories making the rounds in the social and mainstream media that 40 persons were kidnapped in the State, only seven are missing.
It claims that only seven persons, including two septugenarians, are with the abductors, after the Police succeeded in rescuing others.
On Monday, the Katsina Police listed the following as those still missing: Muazu Yasore 80, Nuhu 45, Kabiru Hashimu, 37, Dan Asibi Tela, 50, Sani Kokari 70, Nura Shambal 45 and Ali Dan Maituwor 65.
The command said a combined team of the policemen and community people are frantically searching for the abducted men.
The Police denied reports alleging that 40 persons were kidnapped by bandits along Jibia – Batsari road on Sunday.
The Police Command spokesman, Superintendent Gambo Isa, urged the public to disregard the information he described as mere rumours.
He said: ’’The command wishes to clarify rumors being circulated in the social media that yesterday in the evening bandits have kidnapped forty persons along Jibia – Batsari road’’.
‘’What truly happened was that at about 18:00hrs, bandits numbering over sixty armed with AK 47 rifles blocked Jibia – Batsari road, exactly at Ruma village, forcefully stopped two J5 motor vehicles and took the occupants of the vehicles into the bush.
‘’Search party led by Operation Puff Adder went after the hoodlums but succeeded in rescuing all the victims with the exception of seven others’’.