Nine kidnapped victims have been rescued by security operatives in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a gun battle forced suspected bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.

However, the operation ended tragically when two police officers were killed in an ambush laid by the fleeing criminals as the security team returned from the rescue mission.

The Kaduna State Police Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan.

According to the statement, the victims were abducted on Wednesday while working on their farms around Unguwan Sa’idu Village, a few kilometres from Birnin Gwari town.

The command said credible intelligence received at about 12:45 p.m. indicated that about 15 armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, were operating in the area and had taken several people hostage.

Acting on the intelligence, the Area Commander of Birnin Gwari and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) mobilised patrol teams, including personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS), to rescue the victims.

On reaching the scene, the operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee on motorcycles into the surrounding bush.

“The team launched a hot pursuit, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee for safety,” the statement said.

The rescued victims were identified as Hudu Rabiu, 31; Yusuf Sagir, 20; Sagir Rabiu, 17; Muhammad Kabir, 23; Kabir Lawal, 20; Idris Abubakar, 17; Mustapha Zayyanu, 18; Kabiru Rabiu, 18; and Usman Lawal, 18.

Police said the victims were found tied with ropes and abandoned by their abductors during the pursuit. They were rescued unhurt and later reunited with their families.

The command, however, said the operatives came under attack while returning from the operation.

According to the statement, suspected bandits, believed to have laid an ambush along the route, opened fire on the security team, fatally wounding two police officers, who later died in the line of duty.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased officers.

He described their sacrifice as a testament to the courage, dedication and selflessness of security personnel who risk their lives daily to protect citizens.

The commissioner said the command would continue to honour the memory of the fallen officers and remain committed to tackling insecurity across the state.

He added that investigations and tactical operations were ongoing to track down the attackers and bring them to justice.