NDLEA operatives foil armed theft try in Zaria

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have foiled an armed theft try alongside the Kaduna-Zaria freeway.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Command’s spokesman, Sani Garba, in Kaduna on Thursday defined that the incident befell at about 3am on Sunday close to the company’s checkpoint near Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria.

Garba stated, “Operatives were alerted after one of the motorists reportedly escaped from the suspected robbers and raised the alarm.”

He said that some armed robbers had blocked the freeway when one among their victims managed to flee and alerted their males stationed close by, stressing that their operatives instantly moved to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel, forcing them to desert the operation and flee.

He stated the intervention prevented the suspected robbers from abducting motorists and different highway customers, as no abduction was recorded.

A video circulating on social media confirmed a number of autos, together with articulated vans, deserted alongside the freeway after the encounter.

Some of the vans had been seen with their engines working, whereas their drivers and different occupants had been apparently absent.

The footage additionally confirmed NDLEA operatives inspecting the autos and documenting the aftermath of the incident.

An officer talking in Hausa within the video stated the suspected robbers fled upon sighting the approaching NDLEA personnel, declaring that one other officer was heard directing colleagues to collect deserted belongings and convey them in a truck for restoration.

Garba assured motorists of the command’s dedication to supporting different safety businesses in defending lives and property, urging members of the general public to stay vigilant and promptly report suspicious actions to safety businesses.

He additionally known as on motorists to cooperate with safety personnel to enhance security alongside the freeway for folks to go about their regular companies.

Also talking on the incident, a senior operative of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, who spoke to NAN in Zaria on situation of anonymity, defined that no one was kidnapped throughout the incident.

He said that occupants of the deserted autos had returned and continued their journeys after safety operatives intervened, including that the service had repelled greater than 5 separate assaults on the similar location alongside the freeway in October, stopping suspected criminals from finishing up their operations.

The Kaduna-Zaria freeway has recorded earlier assaults by armed teams, together with incidents of kidnapping and killing of travellers.