Police rescue nine abducted passengers after highway attack in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has rescued nine passengers abducted during an attack on a commercial bus along the Jos–Kano highway in Doguwa Local Government Area, while efforts continue to free three others still in captivity.

The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on July 26 when a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BKK 6824 XA, travelling from Jos to Kano, was ambushed by five suspected armed bandits at the Folgore Forest axis between Gate Two Safer Highway and Dogo Dutse in Doguwa LGA.

The attackers, reportedly armed with machetes and a firearm, blocked the road, attacked the vehicle and abducted 13 of the 20 passengers on board.

The police said the Divisional Police Officer of Doguwa Division received a distress call and immediately deployed tactical operatives to the scene.

On arrival, the operatives engaged the suspects in a gun battle, leading to the rescue of nine victims. Another male victim later escaped from captivity.

However, three passengers—one man and two women—remain in the custody of the abductors.

The rescued victims were evacuated to Doguwa General Hospital for medical evaluation and are currently receiving treatment in stable condition.

The Command said additional tactical teams have been deployed and intelligence-led operations intensified to secure the release of the remaining captives and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended residents and motorists for promptly alerting the police to the incident, describing public cooperation as vital to ongoing security efforts.

He reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.

The police added that investigations into the attack are ongoing.