The Gombe State Police Command has rescued three abducted victims and recovered two AK-47 rifles following an attack by suspected bandits in Pindiga District of Akko Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the incident occurred in Rahama, Lambo and Garin Galadima villages.
According to the statement, the attack began in the early hours of January 24, 2026.
“On 24/01/2026 at about 0200hrs, information received revealed that suspected bandits invaded Rahama Village via Gagarabami, where they shot and killed Tela Bello Ahmadu ‘M’ aged 70 years,” the police said.
The statement added that the attackers later abducted his two sons, Saleh Tela, 25, and Abdullahi Tela, 35.
Abdullahi said the same group later moved to Lambo Village at about 3:40 am, where three more residents were abducted.
“They abducted Babayo Garba ‘M’ aged 30 years, Malam Abba Musa ‘M’ aged 45 years, and Baayo Bayi ‘M’ aged 20 years,” he stated.
Following a distress call, police tactical teams under Operation Hattara, working with hunters and vigilante groups, mobilised to the area and engaged the suspects.
“During the operation, Baayo Bayi ‘M’ was unfortunately caught in the crossfire and later confirmed dead, while Babayo Garba ‘M’ and Malam Abba Musa ‘M’ were successfully rescued,” the statement said.
The police said three of the suspected bandits were neutralised during the gun duel, while others escaped into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
Items recovered from the operation include “two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, sixty-eight rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one hundred and twenty expended ammunition shells, four operational motorcycles and a cash sum of ₦2,300.”
The rescued victims were taken to the hospital for medical examination.
The command said efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects, adding that further developments would be communicated.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to security.
“He reassures the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and urges continued support through timely and credible information to the police,” the statement said.
