Police Rescue Abducted Victims in Gombe, Recover AK-47 Rifles After Bandit Attack
The Gombe State Police Command has successfully rescued three victims who were abducted during a series of attacks by suspected bandits in Akko Local Government Area, recovering two AK-47 rifles and other weapons in the process.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the attacks occurred in the early hours of January 24, 2026, across Rahama, Lambo, and Garin Galadima villages in the Pindiga District. The violence began around 2:00 a.m. when a gang of armed men reportedly stormed Rahama Village through Gagarabami, shooting and killing 70-year-old Tela Bello Ahmadu. The attackers subsequently abducted his two sons, 25-year-old Saleh Tela and 35-year-old Abdullahi Tela.
The same group later moved to Lambo Village at approximately 3:40 a.m., where they kidnapped three more residents: 30-year-old Babayo Garba, 45-year-old Malam Abba Musa, and 20-year-old Baayo Bayi.
Following a distress call, tactical units of the Gombe State Police, operating under Operation Hattara, were deployed to the area. They were supported by local hunters and vigilante groups in a coordinated response against the bandits. During the ensuing gunfight, one of the abducted victims, Baayo Bayi, tragically lost his life, caught in the crossfire. However, Babayo Garba and Malam Abba Musa were rescued unharmed.
The police further reported that three suspected bandits were neutralized during the engagement, while others fled into the surrounding forest, likely sustaining gunshot injuries. Items recovered from the operation included two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 68 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 120 spent shell casings, four motorcycles, and a cash sum of ₦2,300.
The rescued victims were promptly taken to a local hospital for medical examination, and the police have intensified efforts to track and apprehend the remaining suspects.
Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, reassured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining security across the state. He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations. “The command remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard lives and property across Gombe State,” he stated.
This latest operation underscores the ongoing efforts by security agencies in the state to combat banditry and protect vulnerable communities, even as challenges in remote areas persist.
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